Sometimes, our work as diplomats centers on training host country counterparts about topics on which they request help. Some time ago, the top law enforcement officer in Mauritius, the Director of Public Prosecutions, asked our embassy to help train Mauritian lawyers, judges, police officers, and social workers about how we, in America, treat children as special when they are in the criminal justice system as victims or witnesses. We were pleased to be able to get some grant money and bring experts from the US to provide such a training program. I led the training last week at a nice conference center on the coast. We brought three experts from the US Department of Justice: a US Attorney, an FBI Special Agent, and an FBI Specialist in the interviewing of children. We spent 3 1/2 days together in a program that trained nearly 300 Mauritians and Seychellois who deal with children in court. Sometimes the kids are victims of violent crime, sexual predators, or abuse. In many cases, they are made to testify against persons they already know or live with. These experiences can have profound and long term impacts on the child's health and psyche. Obviously, these are very important yet delicate topics. The photos here show a bit of the training program. Above, the Director of Public Prosecutions (front row left) with judges and members of the training team. The training program received very positive reviews from the participants, and we felt good about bringing to this country something that our country cares deeply about . . . protecting children at home and all over the world.
Sometimes, our work as diplomats centers on training host country counterparts about topics on which they request help. Some time ago, the top law enforcement officer in Mauritius, the Director of Public Prosecutions, asked our embassy to help train Mauritian lawyers, judges, police officers, and social workers about how we, in America, treat children as special when they are in the criminal justice system as victims or witnesses. We were pleased to be able to get some grant money and bring experts from the US to provide such a training program. I led the training last week at a nice conference center on the coast. We brought three experts from the US Department of Justice: a US Attorney, an FBI Special Agent, and an FBI Specialist in the interviewing of children. We spent 3 1/2 days together in a program that trained nearly 300 Mauritians and Seychellois who deal with children in court. Sometimes the kids are victims of violent crime, sexual predators, or abuse. In many cases, they are made to testify against persons they already know or live with. These experiences can have profound and long term impacts on the child's health and psyche. Obviously, these are very important yet delicate topics. The photos here show a bit of the training program. Above, the Director of Public Prosecutions (front row left) with judges and members of the training team. The training program received very positive reviews from the participants, and we felt good about bringing to this country something that our country cares deeply about . . . protecting children at home and all over the world.
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