102. The Court has indicated that, although due process and its corresponding guarantees are applicable to all persons, in the case of children and adolescents, by force of the special protection derived from Article 19 of the Convention, the exercise of those guarantees implies, due to their special conditions, the adoption of certain specific measures for the purpose of ensuring access to justice under conditions of equality, guaranteeing effective due process and ensuring that the best interest is established as a primary consideration in all administrative or judicial decisions adopted.182. 103. As the Court has already held, the participation of children and adolescents who are victims of crimes in criminal proceedings may be necessary to contribute to the effective progress of said process,183 however, it is necessary to provide them with information relating to the procedure, as well as the legal assistance, physical and mental health services and other protection measures available, from the beginning of and throughout the entire process.184 104. The Court has warned that children and adolescents who are victims of crimes, particularly sexual violence, may experience serious physical, psychological and emotional consequences caused by the violation of their rights, as well as new victimization at the hands of state bodies through their participation in a criminal process, whose function is precisely the protection of their rights. If it is considered that the participation of the child or adolescent is necessary and can contribute to the collection of evidentiary material, re-victimization must be avoided at all times and participation will be limited to the procedures and actions where their participation is deemed strictly necessary. Their interaction and contact with their aggressor during the proceedings ordered will be avoided.185. Thus, all officials and authorities involved in investigations and criminal proceedings related to sexual violence must be especially vigilant to prevent victims from suffering even more harm during these procedures. In the course of the investigation and judicial process, child and adolescent victims must not only be treated in a manner adapted to their needs, but also with sensitivity, “taking into account their personal situation, their needs, their age, their sex, their disability and their degree of maturity and fully respecting their physical, mental and moral integrity.”186. In this regard, the Court agrees with the statement of expert witness Cillero in the hearing that “women who are victims of sexual crimes, and girls or adolescents who are victims of sexual crimes, are very strongly disadvantaged in the criminal process, as a result of the trauma they have suffered", so it is necessary that there be an "empathic neutrality" towards the victims of sexual violence by the officers of the justice system.187 105. This Court has already highlighted that rape is an extremely traumatic experience that can have severe consequences and causes great physical and psychological damage, which leaves the victim “physically and emotionally humiliated,” a situation that is difficult to overcome over time, in contrast to the situation with other traumatic experiences.188 In the case of children and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence, this impact could be severely aggravated, causing them to suffer emotional trauma different from that of adults and an extremely profound impact, particularly when there is a bond of trust and authority between the victim and the aggressor, such as a parent or other adult in the family who has a caring and supervisory relationship with the victim. Consequently, the Court 182 158. Cf. Advisory Opinion OC-17/02, supra, paras. 96 and 98, and Case of V.R.P., V.P.C. et al. v. Nicaragua, supra, para. 183 Cf. Advisory Opinion OC-17/02, supra, para. 99, and Case of V.R.P., V.P.C. et al. v. Nicaragua, supra, para. 160. 184 Cf. Case of V.R.P., V.P.C. and others Vs. Nicaragua, supra, para. 160. Cf. Case of Rosendo Cantú et al. v. Mexico. Preliminary Objections, Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of August 31, 2010. Series C No. 216, para. 201, and Case of V.R.P., V.P.C. et al. v. Nicaragua, supra, para. 163. 185 186 Case of V.R.P., V.P.C. et al. v. Nicaragua, supra, para. 165. 187 Cf. Expert opinion of Miguel Cillero Bruñol during the public hearing of this case. 188 Cf. Case of the Miguel Castro Castro Prison v. Peru. Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of November 25, 2006. Series C No. 160, para. 311; Case of V.R.P., V.P.C. et al. v. Nicaragua, supra, para. 163, and Case of Bedoya Lima et al. v. Colombia. Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of August 26, 2021. Series C No. 431, para. 102. 33