Children's books and graphic novels that help child witnesses and victims of crime navigate court systems

Community Partners

A spread from one of the trauma-informed graphic novels in Court Support Toolkit.

Court can be a scary place for anyone. Imagine what it feels like for a kid who’s there because they’re a victim or a witness of a crime involving a parent or other loved one.
Children and young people who experience court processes are already going through personal trauma, when they suddenly find themselves in a complicated system, shuttled between adults full of prying questions, hearing confusing terminology, and wondering when it will all be over. They feel confused, scared, angry, and repeatedly re-traumatized. They don’t know what rights they have, what supports are available, or how to ask for help.
The U.S. Department of Justice hired CUP, the Center for Court Innovation, illustrator Ryan Hartley Smith, and designer Anabelle Pang to create materials that would help children and young people ages 2 through 18 across the country navigate court systems.

Project stakeholders help map out the steps children go through in court, and where they need support.

One of CUP’s most complex and sensitive projects to date, we spent months hearing from children, parents, caregivers, and professional stakeholders throughout the U.S., and our work was extensively reviewed by practitioners.
With beautiful and thoughtful illustrations from Ryan Hartley Smith, and graphic design by Anabelle Pang, we created a set of illustrated books for 2-6 year-olds, and two sets of graphic novels for 7-12 year olds and 13-18 year olds. These trauma-informed materials help kids understand and advocate for themselves in the Criminal and Family Court systems. 
Professionals in the system repeatedly reported their eagerness to use the materials, and how transformative they would be for their work. The books meet readers where they are, and help them navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives, while also helping them see their lives beyond it.

“These materials are incredibly unique and important to the field as they fill learning and training gaps regarding engagement with children and youth for social workers, attorneys, judges, and any other practitioners who come into contact with kids involved in the justice system. Not only is this a hands-on tool, but it’s interactive and creative, which is often missing from a field so focused on the law and on trauma.”

The 14 booklet covers from Court Support Toolkit

Check Out the Project

<h3>Resources for Navigating Family Court</h3>

Ages 2–6 — <a href="https://ovc.ojp.gov/child-victims-and-witnesses-support/family-dependency-court#resources-for-ages-2%E2%80%936" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Free Download</a>
Ages 7–12 — <a href="https://ovc.ojp.gov/child-victims-and-witnesses-support/family-dependency-court#resources-for-ages-7%E2%80%9312" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Free Download</a>
Ages 13–18 — <a href="https://ovc.ojp.gov/child-victims-and-witnesses-support/family-dependency-court#resources-for-ages-13%E2%80%9318" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Free Download</a>
 
<h3>Resources for Navigating Criminal Court</h3>

Ages 2–6 — <a href="https://ovc.ojp.gov/child-victims-and-witnesses-support/criminal-court-resources#resources-for-ages-2%E2%80%936" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Free Download</a>
Ages 7–12 — <a href="https://ovc.ojp.gov/child-victims-and-witnesses-support/criminal-court-resources#resources-for-ages-7%E2%80%9312" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Free Download</a>
Ages 13–18 — <a href="https://ovc.ojp.gov/child-victims-and-witnesses-support/criminal-court-resources#resources-for-ages-13%E2%80%9318" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Free Download</a>

CUP
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/clair-beltran">Clair Beltran</a> 
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/elijah-bobo">Elijah Bobo</a> 
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/christine-gaspar">Christine Gaspar</a> 
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/aska-mukuti">Aska Mukuti</a> 
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/oscar-nunez">Oscar Nuñez</a> 
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/siyona-ravi">Siyona Ravi</a>

Community Partners
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/center-for-court-innovation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/center-for-court-innovation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for Court Innovation</a> Samantha Fried Kathryn Ford Shashika Peeligama
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/us-department-of-justice" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/us-department-of-justice" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime</a>

Illustration 
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/ryan-hartley-smith" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ryan Hartley Smith</a>
Design
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/anabelle-pang" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anabelle Pang</a>

Project Collaborators

<h4> Special Thanks </h4>
A special thanks to our project partners and stakeholders, and to the children, young adults, caregivers, and justice system practitioners all over the country who helped us create this publication.

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Hyperakt is a purpose-driven design and innovation studio that elevates human dignity and ignites curiosity. Since 2001, co-founders Julia Zeltser and Deroy Peraza, along with the Hyperakt team, have been partnering with change-makers moving society forward. We believe in design’s power to build a future filled with courage, optimism, and honesty.

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The Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP) is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of design and art to increase meaningful civic engagement in partnership with historically marginalized communities.

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