More support for child victims and witnesses
28/06/2006
Derbyshire Crown Prosecution Service has launched the first public policy statement outlining the support available to children who are victims or witnesses of crime.
Aimed at parents and carers and those who support children, the 'Children and Young People' document provides a comprehensive picture of how the CPS treats children who are victims and witnesses, from the start of a case through to its conclusion. It includes information on:
- how we will address the concerns of both the parents and the children;
- what to expect in court; and
- the support available for child witnesses before, during and after the trial (including the provision of special measures).
Brian Gunn, Chief Crown Prosecutor at Derbyshire CPS said: "Each year hundreds of children are called to give evidence in one of the county's five magistrates' courts or Derby Crown Court.
"There isn't a single offence that we might prosecute where a child or young person could not be called as a witness. Giving evidence during a trial can be difficult for many people, but we recognise that it's often particularly so for children and young people.
"This new policy demonstrates our commitment to making this process as easy as we possibly can, and how we will make the necessary adjustments to ensure the very individual needs of children are met. By outlining the support and advice available we hope more children and young people will feel confident in giving evidence at court and are able to play their part in bringing offenders to justice."
The policy, developed following a six month public consultation period, was drafted with the assistance of charities who work with children including Barnardos, the NSPCC and Victim Support.
'Children and Young People' document