Conclusion

It is important to note four major findings that are consistent across the different methodologies used and the jurisdictions. The first is that the courts find VCRs to be very helpful, as they allow parents to hear the child’s perspective from a neutral, third-party professional, help courts to obtain information about the perspective of the children, provide missing information that is otherwise not presented, and have a quick turnaround time. The second main finding is that where VCRs are available, the majority of jurisdictions provide publicly-funded VCRs by professionals with a background in mental health. The third major finding is that there is no follow-up with children once the VCR is submitted to the court. The fourth and final finding is that none of the jurisdictions guarantee confidentiality to the children during the interview process. For more information, please see Annex A.