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Help for the Victims of Crime

Witness Care Units

Witness Care Units are the single point of contact for victims and witnesses, from charging a suspect with a crime to the end of the case. Your named witness care officer will be responsible for keeping you informed of the progress of the case and supporting you.

Find out more about Witness Care Units

Victim Support

Victim Support volunteers are specially trained to help you and give you practical advice. The police are required to refer all cases of burglary, theft, criminal damage, arson, assault, and racial harassment to Victim Support. If you don't want this to happen, tell the police officer dealing with your case.

Phone the Victim Support line: 0845 30 30 900

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National Victims' Association provides advocacy, counselling and support services to the families of homicide victims.

Phone the National Victims' Association: 0191 423 2210

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Home » Victims and Witnesses » Going to Court » Vulnerable Witnesses

Vulnerable witnesses

Special measures – help with giving evidence

For some people the process of giving evidence in court can be particularly difficult. Children under 17, victims of sexual offences and people with communication difficulties are some examples of people who may need special help.

These people (described as vulnerable or intimidated witnesses), may be allowed to use special measures to help them give their evidence in the best possible way.

The special measures that may be available are:

  • Giving evidence through a TV link: The witness can sit in a room outside the courtroom and give their evidence via a live television link to the courtroom. The witness will be able to see the courtroom and those in the courtroom can see the witness on a television screen
  • Video recorded evidence: The witnesses evidence is videotaped and played to the court
  • Screens around the witness box. A screen is placed around the witness box to prevent the witness from having to see the defendant
  • Removal of wigs and gowns. The judge and lawyers in the Crown Court do not wear gowns and wigs so that the court feels less formal. This is usually used for young witnesses
  • Evidence given in private. This is when members of the public are not allowed in the courtroom
  • Use of communication aids. For example an alphabet board
  • Examination through an intermediary. An intermediary is someone who can help a witness understand questions that they are being asked, and can make his or her answers understood by the court

If you feel you need extra help in court then talk to your witness care officer who will discuss the options with you and if necessary apply to the court for permission to use 'special measures'.

Kara Hoyte's mother Eunice talks about special measures

We asked Kara Hoyte and her mum Eunice Lander to talk about how special measures helped Kara giving evidence that led to the conviction of her attacker in 2009.

Kara and Eunice what do you want young adults and children to do if they witness a crime or are the victim of a crime?

Click on the video to play the clip or read the first section of the transcript.

How would you like to encourage people to report crimes to the police and give evidence so that the CPS can prosecute?

Click on the video to play the clip or read the second section of the transcript.

The National Black Crown Prosecutors Association (NBCPA) presented the Profile In Courage Award to Kara Hoyte in October 2009. Kara suffered a terrible attack with permanent brain injuries caused by her ex partner Mario Celaire. Her tremendous courage in giving evidence contributed to the conviction of her ex-partner in a landmark case as Celaire had been acquitted six years ago of the murder of Cassandra McDermott. Kara's evidence resulted in the conviction of Mario Celaire at the Central Criminal Court when he admitted to the manslaughter of Casandra McDermott and the attempted murder of Kara Hoyte. He was sentenced to 23 years custody.

This filming was carried out in 2009. Sadly, Eunice Lander passed away in February 2010.