National conference "Listen to the child” organized by the Social Activities and Practices Institute was held on June 27 and 28 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The conference brought together judges, prosecutors, and representatives of the National School for Legal Protection of Youth at the Ministry of Justice of France, municipalities and regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior, the Regional Directorates for Social Assistance and departments for child protection, as well as NGOs.

The aim of the conference was to analyse the changes in the practices of participation of children in legal proceedings when they are victims or witnesses of crimes. Associate Professor Nelly Petrova, a Chairperson of the MB of SAPI, presented good practices of child-friendly justice that ensures effective protection of children’s rights piloted in several regions of the country. At the conference was presented the survey "Participation of children victims or witnesses of crimes in legal proceedings. Analysis of the Change" showing the trends and policy development for children friendly justice for the past six years. 

Data from the study of the practice of interrogation of child witness in civil or criminal cases shows that 55.2% of the children were interviewed three or more times during the whole movement in the case before reaching court. In 31% of child abuse cases the period until its hearing in court was two years. Furthermore, children are questioned in the police premises or in the courtroom in the presence of the accused, which is further stress for them. It should be noted that the interrogation specialists are not prepared for interrogation consistent with the child's psyche, especially in the cases of young children and sexual abuse. As a consequence of this practice, children are traumatized, and the collected information can not serve justice.

Child-friendly practice covers a range of efforts of the team of SAPI aimed at ensuring the rights of the child through a reduction in the interrogations of children; provision of child-friendly environment that does not stigmatize through the development of specialized units - "Blue Room"; preparation of specialists involved in the investigation and pre-trial proceedings; training of a dedicated team to facilitate the questioning of children. Data from the project pilot cities shows that there is a significant reduction in the time from the first interrogation signal - 66% of cases of child abuse have reached the prosecutor within a week.

After showing the film "Child friendly justice” that illustrated the good practices in the pilot cities, a forum-debate was held with the participation of representatives of different institutions and different positions. 

The core of the debate was whether the new practices, although in accordance with the international standards, are "legal" for Bulgarian legislation.

Mr. Dimitar Bozadjiev, judge in the district of Pazardzhik, argued that the Bulgarian legislation provides ample opportunity for a "legal" use of new practices. He said that child-friendly procedures for the hearing/interview can be applied according to the current legislation, but depending on the subjective will and desire of the institutions. Ms. Daniela Masheva, prosecutor in the Supreme Prosecutor's Office of Cassation, confirmed the commitment of the working group of government agencies to codify coordination mechanism and methodological guidelines for the implementation of the new practice of hearing children involved in legal proceedings in the near future. Representatives of the Ministry of Interior pointed out that the structures of the Police have trained staff to work with children and expressed approval for the new specialized facilities for interrogation - "Blue Room". Investigating officers agreed that the hearing of the child with the help of specially trained expert who is not leading the interrogation, but facilitates it by taking into consideration child’s age development is good practice.

During the second day of the conference a film "Good attitude in school" was presented as well as part of the work of the SAPI to practice an integrated approach to children victims of violence and the prevention of aggression by promoting child participation. There were questions about the funding mechanisms for child friendly justice, because so far it is through individual projects. Mr. Jean-Baptiste Serra at the National School of Protection presented the system of child protection in France and practices for working with children at risk and children offenders. 

All conference participants agreed on the understanding that the construction and use of the specialized facilities for interrogation - "Blue Room", the introduction of multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional approach and the preparation of specialists involved in the investigation and pre-trial proceedings are key to the development of child-friendly justice.