help?

[ineedanswers]

im a girl 16 years old and i am a victim of physical nd sexual abuse by my ex boyfriend did it to me, beat me up a couple of times knocked me out, and sexual abused me once. i need some help, i want to no what type of question's they will be asking me during court? can any body help?

A

What has he been charged with and when will the case come to Court?

Has he been remanded in custody? Are you in a safe place now? Are you living with your family?

3 ABH's and a 1 sexual abuse i think, hes now on bail.. for 3 months. yes im safe, hes not aloud in my area or to have any contact with me

Have the police or Social Services referred you to a counsellor? Are you in touch with Victim Support?

If he's only just been remanded on bail and he pleads not guilty and elects for trial by jury, it may be that the case won't be heard until some time next year.

On the other hand, he may plead guilty and take his chances with the Magistrates.

What have the police told you?

its like childs court theres no jury theres just a judge, umm i dont think so.. havent spoke to any one this happend christmas last year and its only going court october this year. i think i need a counsellor .. :(

hes pleaded not guilty btw

How old is he?

16 i was 15 when it happend

In that case he'll be dealt with by the Youth Courts

Are you living with your family? Do you have a social worker or any adult you can talk to about how you're feeling?

nope i have no-one, i dont really like talking about it but i've not really had any offers, yeah i live with my mum

This is the website for Victim Support's service for young people such as yourself who've been victims of crimes: www.are-you-ok.org.uk/

Unfortunately, the helpline is an 0845 number and isn't free to call but if you search the site for your nearest Victim Support office it may be that you can call on a cheaper rate local number.

Are you able to talk to your mum about this? Do you have a dedicated police officer or the police officer that took your statement that you can call?

Apologies - I forgot to convert the link: www.are-you-ok.org.uk/

I wouldn't worry too much about what will happen at the Court hearing for the moment as a lot can happen between now and October, and it may be that he'll plead guilty and you won't have to give evidence.

However, nearer to the time, Victim Support's Witness Service can take you to see a empty Youth Court so that you can get an idea of where the Judge and barristers/solicitors sit, where the Defendant sits, and where'll you'll sit if you are asked to give evidence.

If you don't feel comfortable about being in the same room/Court as him, you can ask to give your evidence from behind a screen so that he won't be able to see you, or via a video link where you'll be in another room in the Court building and won't be able to see him.

Either on the day or just before, the solicitor or barrister for the Crown Prosecution Service will go through your witness statement(s) with you and the questions you'll be asked by the Defence solicitor/barrister will relate to the statement(s) you've given to the police.

I know you've said you don't like talking about it, but is your mum sympathetic? Can you tell her that you feel you need help from a counsellor?

If you were taken to hospital at the time of the assaults, your GP (doctor) should be aware of what happened to you though your medical. Book an appointment with your doctor and ask to be referred for counselling.

If you have any questions, or want to offload some of your feelings, continue to post here on your thread where we'll try our best to support you.

Try not to worry too much October and get on with enjoying what's left of the summer as best you can.

your GP (doctor) should be aware of what happened to you though your medical notes.

yeah im giving a statment as a video link i think but i wanted to be in the room only so i could actually be there when they say "guilty!" , would i be able to do that? no i didnt go to the GP, i told a friend after it all happend on a note and she kind of gave it to my school at the time, so it all pretty much happend very quickly, & yeah im going next month to cheak out the court ill ask a million questions when im there, im trying to enjoy summer.. i really thought this would all be over before i started fresh in collage but.. its not :(

In my view it wouldn't be advisable for you to be in the Court at any time but you could ask whether, after you've given evidence, you can continue to view or listen to the proceedings via video or audio link until the case is concluded.

However, it may be that the proceedings won't be concluded within the time set aside for the Hearing and it could be that judgement and/or sentence is reserved to another date.

Who will be taking you to check out the Court? A police officer or someone from the Witness Service?

What physical injuries did you suffer and how do you feel about your attacker now?

Here's a link to your thread in Legal matters www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_matters/1529507-help which help other responders gain an overview.

The questions you'll be asked will be to do with matters of fact such as where you were at the time, what he did to you, and what injuries you sustained.

A Youth Court is very different to an adult Court and the Judge will not allow his barrister or solicitor (the Defence) to badger you.

As I've told you, on the day or just before, the Prosecution (which is the barrister or solicitor acting for the Crown Prosecution Service) will go through your police statement and talk to you about the evidence you'll be giving and the possible questions you may be asked.

Please trust me on this: you are best advised not to anticipate what you will be asked or try and rehearse what you are going to say. All you need to do is answer all questions honestly and to the best of your ability.

If you have not heard a question clearly ask for it to be repeated and if you do not understand a question, say so.

If at any point you feel to upset to continue, don't be afraid to ask for a short break.

The questions you'll be asked will not be any more embarrassing than those you have already been asked by the police and you should remember that you're only going to need to give evidence once - and then it will be over.

Don't be antagonistic to his barrister/solicitor. Whatever questions are being asked by either side, please bear in mind that they are being asked so that the Court can establish the truth and the Judge give his/her verdict.

What you don't want to do is get into some kind of strop if you don't like the questions you're asked, or if you feel angry or upset that some of them are being asked.

Look at the camera when you're answering and try to avoid rolling your eyes, gazing up to heaven, heaving heavy sighs, pulling disapproving faces or otherwise coming over as a being something of a drama queen rather what you are - a young girl who had the misfortune to get involved in a relationship with a young male who attacked and abused her

Also, please resist the temptation to look or sound triumphant at any time. If he's found guilty you can punch the air and scream 'Yay' when you are outside of the Court premises!

As I've already said, the Youth Courts are very different to their adult equivalent. They are far more low key and everything will be done to make sure that you feel as comfortable as possible.

the main police officer who i've been talking to is taking me and my family there, umm i had pictures from where he pinched me in my arms.. looked like black holes on my arm.. how do i feel about him, i wish he was dead! hen this all first happened i still loved him but now i see nothing was my fault, and he needs to be put away for a very long time.. ok so im jst going to answer.. looking into the camra, be brave tell the truth :)