What should a child wear in court…

[Sleepybanana]

… If they are a victim or giving evidence?

my child is having to attend in the next few weeks. Just got no idea what she should wear. If relevant, she’s young enough for it to be done in court but via video link and with a victim supporter with her.

any advice? I would have gone with school uniform but her uniform isn’t really that formal and don’t think it’s smart enough for court 🤔

Her school uniform will be perfect.

Is there someone involved with the case you could talk to? What about victim support?

I would have thought what matters most is that your DD is able to relax in what she is wearing rather than dressing to impress the jury or whatever.

I would use her school uniform. She's a child and it's imperative the court is reminded of that.

Alternatively, you could just let her choose what to wear herself and whatever she is most comfortable in.

I wouldn’t wear school uniform as it identifies her school to everyone in court. Most people just wear something they feel comfy in these days. So any kind of jumper, jeans and trainers is fine as long as it’s not too scruffy (although nobody will say anything if it is). It might be a good idea to avoid showing shoulders and stomach and having a skirt too short because most other people there will be in formal court dress so it might make her feel a bit incongruous but again, nobody’s going to tell her what to wear. As long as she feels comfortable she will be fine.

It needs to be something she is comfortable in, no one will care whether she’s smart or not. The last child I went with wore leggings, slides and a hoodie x

School uniform but not with anything with the logo on. Or a plain black or white t shirt

School uniform is a good idea.

If school uniform has logo then I wouldn’t wear it because it may be easier to trace her. Plain polo and skirt/pinafore/trousers would be fine.

Not school uniform . Hugely identifying . I would say whatever the child feels comfortable in - it is an ordeal for a child . Maybe just stick to plain colours though / no logos , motifs that can be distracting .

Whatever she feels comfortable in.

I don't think I'd go with school uniform as it could be identifying (and you don't know who's in court watching). Obviously this may be very important depending on the case too. I'd just go with something that she's comfortable in, smart/casual (school trousers/skirt and a nice top). Layers incase it's too warm/too cold.

Whatever will make her feel comfortable.

Wear what she feels her authentic self in. She needs to feel as comfortable in her own skin as possible. Been there with my own DD when she was 10-11 (a long year to justice). Lots of support after. Focus on that above all. 🌻

I would say no to uniform for the same reasons as the others have suggested.

I would buy her a new plain jumper and joggers in a colour she likes from primark/h and m and then I would throw them in the bin after the court hearing.

DD wore jeans, a jumper and trainers, as did her friend. The little shit who sexually assaulted them, and three of their peers, who were too frightened to go to court, wore a suit. He got off.

Jeans trainers and a fluffy jumper

I suggest that they wear clothes that they feel comfortable in. I would suggest that they wear a top layer that is easy to put on and take off. In a former job I spent a bit of time in court side rooms and they seemed to go from cold to hot fast.

That’s absolutely awful!!!

If that is a reply to my comment it, there is nothing nasty about it. Just ancient heating systems and small windows Nothing deliberate on anyones part.

i’m involved on the staff side in a trial with multiple witnesses giving evidence on a link from a separate room on the building. they’re all just wearing whatever they’re comfortable in, which at the moment seems to be zipped up north face style puffers because the building isn’t retaining heat very well

@purplecorkheart I think it might have been in response to what Aydel said.

Sorry was replying to Aydel and forgot to quote 🤦 I got her a simple high necked dress in a neutral colour to wear with tights and school shoes, for anyone else searching in the future.