Undergoing criminal proceedings is always a stressful experience, especially for children (Sempere, 2020). Factors such as the judicial environment,
potential contact with the perpetrator, the obligation to respond to questioning, and a general lack of knowledge regarding the legal system can generate
anxiety and discomfort in children involved in any judicial process (Quas & Goodman, 2012). Furthermore, this negative emotional state can alter memory
and, as a result, impact the quality of testimony (Thoman, 2013), thus exerting negative effects on the judicial process. In order to reduce this impact,
some authors highlight the importance of developing preparatory interventions to facilitate children’s and adolescents’ understanding of the legal
environment (Quas et al., 2009). Several guides have been written with guidelines and recommendations for professionals and caregivers
(see the guidelines for caring for victims of child sexual abuse during the judicial process by Echeburúa & Subijana, 2008). However,
resources for children and adolescents themselves are limited. In Spain, these resources are even scarcer, and the ones that do exist are
poorly adapted to the needs of minor victims involved in criminal proceedings. That is why our aim was to develop a resource that assists
professionals in preparing children who are required to face criminal proceedings. As a result, we have created a storybook to help children
who have experienced abuse or violence understand the judicial process and become familiar with its key participants.
