Forensic Psychologists can assist both Plaintiff and Defense lawyers in their assessment of the emotional damages related to traumatic injuries with adults as well as children. PTSD in children and teens is caused by events that have caused them or someone else to be killed or badly injured. Not all children develop PTSD after a traumatic injury. 3-15% of girls and 1-6% of boys develop PTSD in response to a traumatic experience. Rates of PTSD are higher for certain types of trauma survivors. Nearly 100% get PTSD if they see a parent being killed or if they see a sexual assault. 90% of sexually abused children develop PTSD; 77% of children who see a school shooting develop PTSD; and 35% of children who see violence in the area they live, develop PTSD (National Center for PTSD in Children and Teens).
Wanasaikolojia wa kisheria wanaweza kusaidia wanasheria wa Mwendesha Mashtaka na Ulinzi katika tathmini yao ya uharibifu wa kihemko unaohusiana na majeraha ya majeraha na watu wazima na watoto. PTSD ni ugonjwa wa watoto na vijana ambao huathiriwa na matukio ambayo yamesababisha wao au mtu mwingine kuuawa au kujeruhiwa vibaya. Si watoto wote wanaopata PTSD baada ya kuumia. Asilimia 3 hadi 15 ya wasichana na asilimia 1 hadi 6 ya wavulana hupata PTSD kwa sababu ya uzoefu wa kuumiza. Kiwango cha PTSD ni cha juu kwa watu walio na matatizo ya akili. Karibu asilimia 100 ya watoto hupata PTSD wanapomwona mzazi akiuawa au kupigwa vibaya kingono. Zaidi ya asilimia 90 ya watoto wanaotendewa vibaya kingono hupata PTSD, asilimia 77 ya watoto wanaoshuhudia mauaji ya watoto katika shule hupata PTSD, na asilimia 35 ya watoto wanaoshuhudia jeuri katika eneo wanaloishi hupata PTSD.