Children giving evidence in court.

[TuppenceHapeny]

Can someone talk me through it? My little boy may have to give evidence, but he's really worried and although I've reassured him best I can, he's very worried indeed.

How old is he? I think that makes a massive difference..
I've given evidence in court when I was 10 and again when I was 16 and both times it was scary, but we had social workers assigned to us (not sure if this was because of the type of case or if it's standard) and they were really good at talking us through what would happen/ we had a tour of the court before the day so we knew where we would be etc? Do you think that might help?

He's 9, and will probably be ten by the time it gets to court. The SW and police have been excellent with him, although the police did say he didn't have to give evidence if he didn't want to, but without his evidence there is no case, and although I don't and won't force him into it, I really do think he needs to do this.

bump

Firstly he will not be in the courtroom itself. He should have made his statement to the police on video and that will be played to the court and stand as his evidence. He will be in a separate room where he will see the video at the same time. He will then have to answer questions from the lawyers over a video link from that room. He will be able to have someone from the witness service with him all the time.
Everyone who asks him questions will have been trained in dealing with young witnesses and the court will make sure he has a break if he needs one and that he is not given a hard tim.

Yes, he's made several police statements. He really wants me to be with him, but I'm unable to be as I'm a witness. If I was called and gave my evidence, could I then go to be with him do you know?

No, if your both giving evidence in the same case then your options are (if he's in the courtroom- I was at that ag, but I was given the choice to not be..) you give evidence first- and can then sit in the courtroom so when your ds goes next he can see you, but you won't be able to see him/ reassure him until he's given his evidence (and he will be with a social worker or someone similar whilst you are giving evidence) or he can go first, and then watch you give evidence (which didn't appeal to me at all!)

Tuppence, only witness service, court ushers and intermediaries are allowed to be in the livelink room when a child gives their evidence. I know it's hard but that's how it is I'm afraid.

I would ask your witness care officer for a referral to the Young Witness Service, they can set up a meeting at home to get him used to answering questions and talking about how the court works. They will also take you to court for a visit so that he can have a go at using the videolink equipment and see what the courtroom looks like. Then the witness service worker can support him while giving evidence. At his age he will be automatically entitled to give evidence over a live link; there is also a drive by the NSPCC called "Order in Court" relating to child witness - one of the things they are calling for is increased use of remote live link - where the child gives evidence from a venue away from the court - eg. school, children's centre, police station. This is also something you could investigate.

You are welcome to PM me - I'm a witness care officer in "A Police Force Down South"

Thank you both - I had thought that might be the case.

I only found out today that the CPS have decided that charges are going to be pressed, but it's another fortnight before we find out what the plea will be. Fingers crossed that he'll do the decent thing and plead guilty to spare DS the trauma of going to court, but I suspect he won't.

Obviously haven't been assigned a witness care officer as yet, but i'll certainly keep all that ^ in mind, for when we are. I think DS would be much happier diving evidence from somewhere other than court.

Sounds really distressing, I can't give practical advice but am offering supportive hugs and tea to you and your Ds. X

DD (9) gave evidence today. They showed her video evidence first, then the usher came and fetched her from the waiting room and took her to the video link room. A witness support volunteer went with her. The barristers asked questions through the video link. The only people DD could see on her screen were the two barristers and the judge. At one point she became a bit tearful and the judge asked her if she needed a break, but she chose to continue.

Once she had finished, the witness support volunteer brought her back to the waiting room. We were allowed to hug her and spend time with her, but not discuss her evidence or the case. DH and I both had to remain at the court for several more hours to give our evidence, so we asked a good friend to bring DD home and look after her until we were home.

Things that DD found helpful:
A pre-trial visit to the court to meet key personnel and to see the video link room.
A booklet about being a child witness, sent to her by the Witness Care Office.
Lots of things to keep her occupied while she was waiting to be called.
Her favourite cuddly toy (she was allowed to take this with her to the video link room).

Thank you so much for that, Three, your daughter has been incredibly brave.

May I be nosey and ask how long your case took to get to trial?

She made her disclosure just over a year ago.

It's been eight months here already.