Making Courts Safer for Child Survivors in Guatemala
Escuintla, Guatemala — October 2026 — For a child who has survived abuse, the justice system can become a second wound: retelling the worst moment of their life, sometimes in the same room as the person who caused it. Two specialized courts in Guatemala’s Escuintla department are changing that.
Guatemala’s Supreme Court of Justice has partnered with Kids Alive Guatemala (Vida Para Niños) to transform the Courts for Children and Adolescents in Escuintla, creating spaces designed to protect kids from being re-traumatized as they pursue justice. The project includes private, soundproofed interview rooms, closed-circuit camera systems so a child can be heard without sitting across from the person who harmed them, renovated courtrooms and gentler waiting areas, and training led by experienced judges.
Spaces Designed for Children
Every improvement serves one goal: helping a child be heard safely. Camera systems in isolated, quiet rooms allow children to give their testimonies without sitting across from the person who harmed them.
At the Escuintla Departmental Complex, efforts include:
A renovated covered walkway connecting the Court for Children and Adolescents, the Court for Crimes of Femicide, and the recreational area both courts share
A closed-circuit camera system
Technology and air-conditioning equipment
In Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa:
Soundproofing frames and acoustic panels for the victim interview area
Air-conditioning units, fresh paint, and window tinting
A renovated garden area that now serves as a calming waiting space
A Formal Partnership for Justice
A Letter of Understanding has been established between the Judicial Branch of the Republic of Guatemala and Kids Alive Guatemala, a shared commitment to strengthen justice for children and adolescents. Beyond the physical improvements, the collaboration includes training sessions led by judges with extensive experience in child protection cases.
Justice Estuardo Adolfo Cárdenas, Fifth Justice of the Supreme Court of Justice, explained that the project grew out of active listening and monitoring inside the courts, which identified specific needs in infrastructure, equipment, and the adaptation of judicial spaces.
“Strengthening the administration of justice requires accurately identifying the needs of judicial bodies and seeking practical, concrete responses to improve the conditions under which these services are provided,” Justice Cárdenas said.
Celebrating a Shared Commitment
Justice Flor de María Gálvez Barrios, Seventh Justice of the Supreme Court of Justice and a driving force behind the initiative, presided over the ceremonies.
“Today, we are gathered for something more than the inauguration or delivery of improvements to a physical space,” Justice Gálvez Barrios said. “We are gathered for something with much deeper meaning: the coming together of shared efforts to strengthen the care and protection of our children and adolescents.”
She also thanked Kids Alive Guatemala for their valuable support of the Judicial Branch.
Kids Alive was represented by Dr. Corbey Dukes, President and CEO of Kids Alive International, and Rosalva Alvarado Medina, Country Director of Kids Alive Guatemala. They were joined by members of the Escuintla Court of Appeals, led by President Amadeo de Jesús Guerra Chacón; officials from the Judicial Branch’s Secretariat for the Protection of Children and Adolescents; Dr. Julio Armando Paz Espinoza, Mayor of Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa; Byron Ranulfo Rustrian Amado, Mayor of Palín; and judges from Escuintla’s specialized courts for children and for crimes of femicide and violence against women.
Staying for Every Child
Kids Alive is grateful for champions like Justice Gálvez Barrios, Justice Cárdenas, and Guatemala’s Supreme Court of Justice, and for the Kids Alive Guatemala team, who show up for these children every single day.
Because a child should never have to choose between staying silent and staying safe.
About Kids Alive International
Kids Alive International is a global non-profit dedicated to protecting children, strengthening families, and advocating for justice. With a presence in seven countries, Kids Alive provides holistic care that addresses not only immediate needs like safety, education, and health, but also the deeper wounds of trauma and sexual abuse.
In Guatemala, the ministry operates under the name Vida Para Niños and is recognized for its leadership in trauma-informed care, restorative justice, and advocacy for children who have suffered sexual abuse or other forms of violence. Through safe homes, foster family programs, counseling, and legal accompaniment, Kids Alive ensures that children are not revictimized by the systems meant to protect them.
The organization is committed to advancing systemic change by working with courts, governments, and local partners to embed “Justice that Heals” into legal processes. This includes creating safe spaces within court systems, training judicial personnel in child-sensitive practices, and walking with families as they pursue reconciliation and restoration.
Every child deserves to be seen, heard, and treated with dignity. Kids Alive International is devoted to making that a reality, combining compassionate care with courageous advocacy to defend the most vulnerable and restore hope for future generations.
Inspired to be part of this movement for justice that heals? Learn more and explore ways to get involved at www.kidsalive.org/ways-to-give.
For media inquiries, interviews, or more information about news stories like this one, please contact us at news@kidsalive.org.
Kids Alive Hosts Beverly Hills Panel Featuring Jordyn Wieber, Mattie Larson, Coach Val, and Attorney John Manly
(Left to right) Attorney John Manly, World Cup Gold Medalist Mattie Larson, Olympic Gold Medalist Jordyn Wieber, and UCLA Gymnastics coach Valorie Kondos Field.
Beverly Hills, CA (June 11, 2026) - Kids Alive hosted a private gathering in Beverly Hills, bringing together survivors, advocates, and community leaders for an evening of honest conversation about healing, justice, and the power of being believed.
The discussion featured Olympic Gold Medalist Jordyn Wieber, World Cup Gold Medalist Mattie Larson, legendary UCLA Gymnastics coach Valorie Kondos Field, and attorney John Manly, who represented both Wieber and Larson in the Larry Nassar case. Together, they shared personal reflections on the abuse they experienced, the people who stood beside them, and the role justice played in their healing journeys.
Throughout the evening, Coach Val guided the conversation with compassion and candor. John Manly highlighted the influence she had on many of the athletes who eventually came forward, noting that several of the first gymnasts to speak publicly about Nassar were UCLA Bruins who had trained under her leadership.
Coach Val’s impact extended far beyond athletics. She created an environment where young women felt valued, supported, and safe. Long before courtrooms and headlines, she helped build the foundation of trust and confidence that would later empower many athletes to find their voices.
Reflecting on the connection between her work with athletes and the mission of Kids Alive, Kondos Field shared:
“As the head coach of the UCLA Gymnastics team for 29 years, I led the charge in building a championship culture rooted not in winning, but in helping young people discover their worth, find their voice, and thrive beyond adversity. I have witnessed that same commitment at Kids Alive International, where children who have experienced abuse are given safety, stability, and belonging; the foundation that empowers them to heal, discover their self-worth, and reclaim their future.” - Coach Valorie Kondos Field
Her perspective reinforced one of the evening’s central themes: healing begins when people are given the safety, support, and encouragement to recognize their value and believe that their future can be different from their past.
Both Wieber and Larson reflected on the importance of the people who walked alongside them throughout their healing journeys. They spoke about the influence of advocates such as John Manly, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, Coach Val, and others who believed them, supported them, and helped them navigate an incredibly difficult chapter of their lives.
For both women, speaking out was not only about their own experiences. It was about helping ensure that future generations of young athletes would not have to endure the same harm. The pursuit of justice became part of the healing process itself.
Wieber shared that one of the most significant moments in her journey was standing in court and confronting her abuser. Reflecting on that experience, she declared,
“Even though I am a victim, I do not and will not live my life as one. I am an Olympian.”
Larson spoke candidly about the impact of finally feeling believed. While she knew she was surrounded by caring people throughout parts of her journey, she described working with Manly as one of the first times she truly felt safe. His willingness to listen, believe her, and advocate on her behalf became a meaningful part of her healing process.
Their stories underscored a reality that remains true for countless children around the world: healing is often connected to whether a child is believed, protected, and able to access justice.
That reality is central to the work of Kids Alive.
Across the countries where Kids Alive serves, children and families often face significant barriers to safety, support, and legal protection. Through legal advocacy, trauma-responsive care, professional training, and partnerships with justice systems, Kids Alive works to help children experience not only immediate protection, but also lasting healing and accountability.
The evening highlighted not only the importance of individual advocates, but also the importance of building systems that respond to children with dignity, compassion, and justice. It reflected a shared belief among the panelists that healing requires more than removing harm. It requires creating environments where children are seen, heard, protected, and supported as they move forward.
While each speaker’s story was unique, a common theme emerged throughout the evening: healing rarely happens in isolation. It requires people willing to listen, advocate, and stand alongside those who have experienced profound hardship.
For Kids Alive, the conversation reflected a growing commitment to strengthening child-centered and trauma-responsive systems around the world so that more children can experience safety, healing, and justice.
Events like this gathering create opportunities for important conversations, helping bring greater awareness to the challenges survivors face and the collective responsibility we share in building a safer future for children everywhere.
About Kids Alive International
Kids Alive International is a global nonprofit dedicated to transforming trauma into triumph for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and injustice.
Working across six countries—Guatemala, Peru, Haiti, Lebanon, Zambia, and Kenya—Kids Alive partners with local communities, governments, and leaders to create environments where children are protected, their voices are heard, and healing can begin.
Through an integrated approach, Kids Alive helps restore bonds that mend, strengthens access to justice that heals, and equips children with skills that matter for a stronger future. From the moment a child is identified as vulnerable to the long-term process of healing and growth, the focus remains the same: ensuring each child is safe, valued, and equipped to move forward with dignity and hope.
At the heart of this work is a belief that every child is created with inherent dignity and worth, and that when justice is pursued with care and compassion, restoration is possible.
Kids Alive Peru Leads Inter-Institutional Forum to Advance Child-Centered Justice in Manchay
LIMA, Peru (April 2026) — Kids Alive Peru joined with World Vision Peru and the Manchay Women’s Emergency Center (CEM) to convene the Inter-Institutional Forum on Non-Re-victimization in Manchay, bringing together municipal leaders, justice officials, protection operators, and civil society organizations to address barriers children and teens face in accessing justice after experiences of violence.
The Forum focused on strengthening child-centered and trauma-informed responses within Peru’s protection and justice systems while advancing concrete solutions to reduce re-victimization during legal processes.
Among the key outcomes of the Forum were commitments to advocate for the installation of a Video Testimonial Room (Gesell Chamber) in Manchay, strengthen existing testimonial rooms in other regions through collaboration with Peru’s Institute of Legal Medicine, and pursue discussions with national prosecutors regarding the creation of a Specialized Prosecutor’s Office in the community.
Currently, children and families in Manchay must travel approximately 25 kilometers to access a Single Interview process, often waiting up to three months for appointments. Leaders at the Forum emphasized how distance, cost, and delays can create additional obstacles for children already navigating trauma.
“The Forum is not just another event. It is the beginning of real commitments,” said Marlene Arroyo Mestanza, Executive Director of Kids Alive Peru. “A girl living here should not have to wait months and travel across the city just to be heard with dignity. We are committed to bringing justice closer to children and ensuring that when support arrives, it promotes healing rather than causing further harm.”
The collaboration between Kids Alive Peru, World Vision Peru, and the Manchay CEM combines frontline community insight, technical research, and institutional advocacy to help strengthen coordinated responses for children and teens. Forum organizers noted that this unified approach helps bridge the gap between community needs and national-level decision-making.
The Forum also supports Kids Alive Peru’s 2030 Theory of Change, which seeks to ensure that children and teens impacted by violence can live safely, with dignity and hope through strengthened children, protective families, and strengthened protection operators and systems.
Immediate next steps following the Forum include follow-up with municipal leaders regarding the proposed Video Testimony (Gesell Chamber) space, formalization of agreements with the Institute of Legal Medicine, and meetings with national prosecutors supported by technical and statistical evidence gathered through the partnership.
About Kids Alive International
Kids Alive International is a global nonprofit dedicated to transforming trauma into triumph for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and injustice.
Working across six countries—Guatemala, Peru, Haiti, Lebanon, Zambia, and Kenya—Kids Alive partners with local communities, governments, and leaders to create environments where children are protected, their voices are heard, and healing can begin.
Through an integrated approach, Kids Alive helps restore bonds that mend, strengthens access to justice that heals, and equips children with skills that matter for a stronger future. From the moment a child is identified as vulnerable to the long-term process of healing and growth, the focus remains the same: ensuring each child is safe, valued, and equipped to move forward with dignity and hope.
At the heart of this work is a belief that every child is created with inherent dignity and worth, and that when justice is pursued with care and compassion, restoration is possible.
Guatemala’s Supreme Court and Kids Alive International Convene International Summit to Advance Child-Centered Justice
ANTIGUA, Guatemala (May 8, 2026) — More than 120 judges and magistrates from across Guatemala gathered in Antigua Guatemala on May 8 for the Congreso Internacional del Derecho de la Niñez y Adolescencia (International Summit on the Law of Childhood and Adolescence), a landmark event advancing child-centered and trauma-informed justice practices across Guatemala’s judicial system.
The summit was convened by Guatemala’s Judicial Branch, through the Civil Chamber, with the support of Kids Alive International. Judges and magistrates from Escuintla, Sacatepéquez, and Chimaltenango participated in the full-day training at Hotel Soleil Antigua Guatemala.
For Kids Alive International, the event represented a meaningful step forward in its partnership with Guatemala’s justice system and its ongoing work to help transform trauma to triumph for every child who has been abused or marginalized.
Magistrates of the Supreme Court Of Justice (Left to right): Estuardo Adolfo Cardenas, Flor de María Gálvez Barrios, Corbey Dukes (Kids Alive International CEO), and Teodúlo Ildefonso Cifuentes Maldonado.
"Because the children we serve live in real communities governed by real laws and real systems, we cannot ignore those systems,” said Corbey Dukes, CEO and President of Kids Alive International. “When we have the opportunity to partner with governments, strengthen policy, and help make justice more effective for children, we step in with humility, excellence, and a commitment to healing. This is what we mean by Justice that Heals.”
The summit featured presentations from Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, internationally known for her role in the Larry Nassar sentencing hearings; Thomas Charles Rawlings, attorney and Kids Alive International Board Member; and Judge Juan Orlando Calderón Sierra, who addressed protective measures for children and adolescents through the analysis of emblematic cases.
Judge Aquilina emphasized that courts have the power to become places where children are not only heard, but also protected from further harm.
"Healing does begin in the justice system,” said Judge Rosemarie Aquilina. “Justice is about how people experience the process, not just about the outcome. When we give a child a voice, when we believe them, we let them know from the very beginning that they matter, that they are clean, that they are whole, and that they have not done anything wrong.”
In her presentation, Judge Aquilina spoke extensively about the importance of trauma-informed questioning, child-sensitive courtroom environments, and careful forensic interview practices that protect both the dignity of children and the integrity of their testimony. She stressed that repeated questioning, intimidating environments, or poorly trained interview techniques can retraumatize children and undermine the pursuit of justice itself.
She also challenged judicial leaders to rethink how children are questioned, how many times they are asked to repeat their story, and how courtroom environments are experienced by children carrying deep trauma and fear into the legal process.
“Creating space for survivors to speak does not weaken the court,” Judge Aquilina said. “It strengthens the justice system and sends a message that predatory behavior will not be tolerated.”
Rawlings expanded on the global movement toward child-friendly justice, highlighting the importance of children’s rights, developmental needs, family connection, trauma-responsive care, and multidisciplinary teams.
"Justice means making things right,” said Thomas Charles Rawlings, attorney and Kids Alive International Board Member. “We cannot make things right if the child at the center of the process does not feel cared for, heard, and protected throughout it.”
Rawlings noted that children who enter legal proceedings often come with fear, confusion, shame, and trauma. Because of this, courts must not only seek truth, but also understand how a child’s development, memory, trauma response, and need for trusted adults affect their ability to participate.
He encouraged judicial leaders to continue building systems where children are guided by trusted adults, supported through multidisciplinary collaboration, and treated in ways that recognize both their vulnerability and dignity.
“A child-friendly justice system is one where children can understand the process, participate in it, and be protected through it,” Rawlings said. “That requires judges, legal professionals, psychologists, social workers, and care providers to bring their expertise together.”
Why This Summit Matters
For children who have experienced abuse, the courtroom can either become another place of fear or a place where healing begins. Throughout the summit, speakers emphasized that child-centered justice is not simply about reaching a legal outcome. It is about protecting the dignity of the child, preserving the integrity of their testimony, and ensuring that every step of the process helps move them toward safety, healing, and restoration.
Judge Aquilina emphasized that children who experience trauma often carry shame, fear, and confusion into the courtroom, making trauma-informed care and forensic interviewing practices critical for both healing and credible legal outcomes. She also spoke about how courtroom experiences can either deepen trauma or become pivotal moments where children begin to rediscover their voice, dignity, and value.
Rawlings connected those practices to the broader international movement toward child-friendly justice, emphasizing that children need systems built around their developmental needs, trauma responses, family connections, and right to participate in proceedings that affect their lives.
(Left to right): Sergio Ayala Acevedo General Secretary of the Presidence of the Supreme Court of Justice, Saúl Estuardo Reyes Valenzuela, Director of the School of Judicial Studies, Vincio Zuquino, Rachel Davidson, Silvia Marroquin and Hon, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina
Together, the presentations reinforced a central truth of Kids Alive International’s Justice that Heals approach: when courts, care providers, therapists, legal advocates, and government leaders work together, justice can become more than a verdict. It can become a pathway toward healing.
One of the most powerful moments of the summit came when Magistrate Flor de María Gálvez Barrios of Guatemala’s Supreme Court of Justice echoed the heart of Kids Alive’s Justice that Heals approach.
"To bring a child to court is not simply to punish the guilty,” said Magistrate Gálvez Barrios. “It is an opportunity not to erase their wounds, but to heal their wounds and accompany them in a plan for a better life.”
Kids Alive International has worked in Guatemala for years alongside community leaders, government partners, and judicial authorities to strengthen systems of protection, care, and justice for children. Its integrated approach brings together legal advocacy, trauma-informed care, family strengthening, and multidisciplinary support so children are not left to navigate complex systems alone.
This approach is producing measurable results. Kids Alive has seen strong outcomes in family reintegration, as well as conviction rates in child sexual abuse cases that far exceed global averages when multidisciplinary support is involved.
“These invitations are earned over time,” Dukes said. “When you deliver on your promises, serve with excellence, and come with open hands, trust grows. We believe this is part of our calling as followers of Christ: to serve with wisdom, humility, and a genuine desire for children, families, and communities to thrive.”
The summit further strengthens Kids Alive International’s growing work alongside government and judicial leaders in Guatemala, Peru, and Zambia. Through these partnerships, Kids Alive is helping build systems that protect children, strengthen families, and create pathways for healing and justice.
Together with local leaders, courts, and communities, Kids Alive International continues working toward its mission of transforming trauma to triumph for every child who has been abused or marginalized.
Local Guatemala Update
To learn more about how this summit was shared and experienced locally in Guatemala, view the update from the Kids Alive Guatemala team here: Read the Local Guatemala Update on Facebook
About Kids Alive International
Kids Alive International is a global nonprofit dedicated to transforming trauma into triumph for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and injustice.
Working across six countries—Guatemala, Peru, Haiti, Lebanon, Zambia, and Kenya—Kids Alive partners with local communities, governments, and leaders to create environments where children are protected, their voices are heard, and healing can begin.
Through an integrated approach, Kids Alive helps restore bonds that mend, strengthens access to justice that heals, and equips children with skills that matter for a stronger future. From the moment a child is identified as vulnerable to the long-term process of healing and growth, the focus remains the same: ensuring each child is safe, valued, and equipped to move forward with dignity and hope.
At the heart of this work is a belief that every child is created with inherent dignity and worth, and that when justice is pursued with care and compassion, restoration is possible.
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