Witness Care Unit
During 2008/09 the Witness Care Unit supported 4,612 victims and witnesses
The Witness Care Unit provides support for all victims and witnesses in cases where the defendant has not pleaded guilty at the first hearing.
If you're a victim or witness in a case like this you'll be allocated a Witness Care Officer . They will be your single point of contact and will identify specific support requirements such as child care, transport, language difficulties and medical issues. They will also highlight any areas of concern, such as possible witness intimidation.
Your needs will be continually reviewed throughout the prosecution process and you'll be regularly updated on the progress of the case and the final result.
The Witness Care Unit is staffed by the Crown Prosecution Service and Dorset Police and is divided into two teams. One team deals with cases in the Magistrates Courts and the other deals with cases in the Crown Courts.
What this has meant for one victim
A Domestic Violence victim was assaulted by her partner in a public place. It was the latest in a long line of attacks and the victim was so scared she fled to a refuge with her two young children.
The victim was very worried about attending court. Her case was allocated to a Witness Care Officer who provided regular updates by text message, as this was the victims preferred means of contact.
At court
The Witness Care Officer arranged for a taxi with a female driver to take the victim to court, she was met at the steps of the court and taken inside to a secure waiting area.
Special measures were in place in the courtroom via a live-link video, which meant the defendant was at another court.
He was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years. He was also ordered to attend the Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme for two years and pay the victim £100 compensation.
Since the case, the victim says her confidence has grown enormously. She has told the Witness Care Officer that she feels more empowered to deal with all aspects of her life and is now arranging her finances and housing. The victim attributes this new confidence to the Witness Care Officer and the fact that she never gave up on her.
