| answer text |
<p /> <p>The Ministry of Justice currently funds Victim Support for the provision
of support to witnesses attending criminal courts in England and Wales. Funding for
this support beyond March 2015 is currently subject to a competitive commissioning
process.</p><p> </p><p>In developing the requirement specification for the service
from April 2015, the Ministry of Justice took the views of a number of organisations
working in the field of support for victims and witnesses. This included NSPCC, who
provided valuable input drawn from practitioner experience in supporting young witnesses.</p><p>
</p><p>The requirements of the service include that witnesses should receive tailored
support which meets their individual needs, and there is particular emphasis on ensuring
the service meets the needs of young, vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. Support
for young witnesses includes the provision of a Young Witness Pack, age appropriate
explanations about court proceedings, and where needed support at pre-trial visits
and home visits. Support will also include supporting and facilitating the attendance
of parents or adults accompanying a young witness to court.</p><p> </p><p>The service
is part of wider arrangements within the Criminal Justice System to support young
witnesses at court, including use of special measures such as screens around the witness
box to shield the witness from the defendant, use of live-links or recorded evidence-in-chief
and a Registered Intermediary to aid communication.</p><p> </p><p>As part of our recent
announcement detailing our Commitment to Victims, all vulnerable victims and witnesses
will be given greater opportunity to give evidence away from the court building, and
we will work towards rolling out pre-trial cross examination for child victims nationally,
subject to the evaluation of ongoing pilots.</p>
|
|
