Germany's new child-friendly courtrooms ease trauma for young witnesses

A quiet room, a trusted companion, and no courtroom glare. Could this be the future of testimony for children in Germany's justice system?

, and Administrator

2026 March 15 . 3:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows two children sitting at a long table in front of a microphone, surrounded by... — The image shows two children sitting at a long table in front of a microphone, surrounded by chairs. On the table there are mics, bottles, bags, papers, and other objects. In the background, there are a few people sitting on the chairs and a few standing, as well as flags and a screen on the wall. This scene is likely from a school board meeting, as the children appear to be engaged in a discussion.

Justice Minister Visits Room for Child-Friendly Interrogation - Germany's new child-friendly courtrooms ease trauma for young witnesses

Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig will visit a child-friendly interview room at Potsdam District Court this morning. The special facility aims to make court proceedings less intimidating for minors. Brandenburg's Justice Minister Benjamin Grimm will join her during the inspection.

The interview room at Potsdam District Court has been running as a pilot project for several months. It allows children to give testimony in a calmer setting instead of an open courtroom. Trusted companions can also stay with them during questioning.

Today's visit will focus on the room's design, technical setup, and the psychosocial support offered to young witnesses. Officials plan to expand similar child-friendly spaces to other courts across Brandenburg.

The initiative seeks to reduce stress for minors involved in legal proceedings. After reviewing the Potsdam model, authorities will assess how to implement it elsewhere in the region. No specific locations or numbers for future rooms have been announced yet.