CPS Launches New Resource to Young People in South Yorkshire

13/11/2007

"Millie the witness" and "Jerome: a witness in court" are the faces of a new drive launched by the Crown Prosecution Service to inform children and young people of what will happen if they report a crime.

Information is being sent to schools throughout South Yorkshire about this new resource which follows the experience of Millie and Jerome being witnesses in court.  The documents are for children and young people of different ages and abilities, and use simple language and illustrations.

Millie the Witness and Jerome: a witness in court could also be used by adults when preparing children and young people to go to court as victims or witnesses in criminal proceedings.

Nearly 100 young people were consulted during the exercise to produce the documents, as well as representatives from the voluntary, support and statutory agencies.

Explained what would happen if I saw a crime being committed, brilliant, memorable are the words of the young people who commented on the two documents.

The documents should be read in conjunction with the CPS policy Children and Young People, which was published last year.

Nigel Cowgill, Chief Crown Prosecutor, CPS South Yorkshire said : The purpose of the two documents is to inform children and young people of the role of the CPS and what they can expect to happen if they attend court as a victim or witness.

We want children to be happy, healthy, safe and succesful.  We know that the work we do can affect only some of these things directly but when we prosecute cases we will always think about the wider needs of children.

Ends

Notes to Editors

1. 92 children and young people, from the age range 5 to 19 years, contributed to the exercise to produce the two documents.
2. The CPS policy Children and Young People was launched on 27 June 2006.
3. Children and Young People, Millie the witness and Jerome : a witness in court are available in the Victims and Witnesses section on our website.  Go to www.cps.gov.uk/victims_witnesses/further_info.html.
4. Jerome: a witness in court includes images from the CPS DVD Just Deserts. Just Deserts DVD is available on request.
5. A child or young person is defined as anyone under 18.
6. There is no lower age limit as to when a child can be a witness but there are practical as well as welfare concerns the CPS must consider.