harm listed in Article 19(1)145 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.146 Thus, violence and sexual abuse can exist even in the absence of force. As it has found, “[m]any children experience sexual victimization which is not accompanied by physical force or restraint but which is nonetheless psychologically intrusive, exploitive and traumatic.”147 Therefore, authorities must take into account that their enhanced obligation is activated by any allegation of violence and sexual abuse. In response to such allegations, States must activate the necessary mechanisms to implement concrete measures toward applying the four guiding principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, those being “the principle of nondiscrimination, the principle of the best interest of the girl, the principle of respect for the right to life, livelihood, and development, and the principle of respect for the opinion of the girl in all proceedings that affect her, such that her participation is guaranteed."148 27. Although due process and its correlating guarantees are applicable to all individuals, in the case of girls and teens, they require "the adoption of certain specific measures with the aim of ensuring equal access to justice, guaranteeing an effective due process, and making sure that the best interest is a primary consideration in all administrative or judicial decisions adopted."149 An essential component of enhanced due diligence and special protection in cases of girls who are victims of violence is the need to avoid revictimizing them or forcing them to reexperience the deeply traumatic events. They should thus be provided with specialized support and the proper conditions for preventing new harm and additional trauma that may arise as the result of their statements or during the examinations they undergo. 150 Otherwise, the State would not only be failing to comply with its obligation of enhanced due diligence and special protection, but could also be responsible for the additional trauma and harm caused in violation of Article 5(1) of the Convention. Thus, “in cases of sexual violence, once it becomes aware of the facts, the State must provide immediate professional support—both medical and psychiatric and/or psychological—from professionals trained specifically in attending to victims of these types of crimes with a gender approach and an approach that takes childhood into account.”151 28. Additionally, on finding the testimony of girls who are victims of crimes is pertinent to criminal proceedings carried out in cases of alleged abuse, sexual violence, or rape, the Court has found that: The interview must be conducted by a specialized psychologist or related professional who is duly trained in taking these types of statements. The professional will allow the child or teen to express themselves as they choose and adapted to their needs, and they shall not be directly interrogated by the court or the parties. The interview will seek to obtain a precise, trustworthy, and complete description of what took place through the victim's account. Therefore, the interview rooms must provide a safe environment that is not intimidating, hostile, insensitive, or inappropriate […] to offer privacy and foster trust. Likewise, children and adolescents should not be questioned more times than strictly necessary, based on their best interest and to avoid revictimization or a traumatic impact. The Court underscores that several countries have adopted the good practice of using special tools such as a Gesell Chamber or closed-circuit television (CCTV) to enable the authorities and the parties to follow the testimony of the child or adolescent from outside in order to minimize any re-victimizing effect. […] Likewise, it is recommended that the statements from children and teen victims be videotaped so as to avoid having to repeat the procedure. These technological tools not only prevent revictimization of the child or adolescent victim and the deterioration of the evidence, but also guarantee the accused's right to defense.152 29. Likewise, regarding the need to conduct physical examinations of girls who are victims of abuse, sexual violence, or rape: The pertinent part of Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child establishes the following: 1. States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child. 2. Such protective measures should, as appropriate, include effective procedures for the establishment of social programmes to provide necessary support for the child and for those who have the care of the child, as well as for other forms of prevention and for identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment and follow-up of instances of child maltreatment described heretofore, and, as appropriate, for judicial involvement. 146 CRC. General Comment No. 13, para. 4. 147 CRC. General Comment No. 13, para. 25(d). 148 Inter-American Court. Judgment of V.R.P., V.P.C. et al., para. 155. 149 Inter-American Court. Judgment of V.R.P., V.P.C. et al., para. 158. 150 Inter-American Court. Judgment of V.R.P., V.P.C. et al., paras. 163-171. 151 Inter-American Court. Judgment of V.R.P., V.P.C. et al., para. 165. 152 Inter-American Court. Judgment of V.R.P., V.P.C. et al., para. 168. 145 18