UK to double courtroom communications experts | WPN World People News

UK's victims and witnesses will be given more support than ever before with double the number of courtroom experts soon to be available to help them give evidence, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling announced on February 23, 2015.

Under this government funding for specialist support services has also more than doubled to over £92 million in 2015/16, including an increase in local budgets to fund vital services on the ground.

UK Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said:

“I have always been clear we must put victims and witnesses at the centre of our reforms. Helping them to give their best evidence is a vital part of this - both for their wellbeing and proper access to justice. Today I can announce that we will be doubling the number of specialist courtroom experts to help them with this.

“This government has also more than doubled the amount of funding provided to specialist victims’ support services to over £92 million a year. As part of this we’re making more criminals than ever pay, and pay more, towards victims’ services. We’ve also listened to what victims want to help them best recover, and in response a new victims law will be introduced.”

Registered Intermediaries (RIs) are crucial for victims and witnesses who need help to give their best evidence including children and those with mental health issues, physical disabilities or learning difficulties. The government is now seeking double the number of experts to help these vulnerable victims and witnesses understand what is being asked of them and to communicate their answers. This can mean the difference in some cases between whether a witness is able to testify or not.

This compliments a wider package of reforms to smooth the path to justice for victims of crime including spending on vital support which has more than doubled under this government – reaching over £92million next year (2015/16).This will give victims access to the best possible support, no matter where they live in the country, and help ensure they are not alone in coming to terms with the impact of crime. The majority of this will be given to Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to commission victims’ services based on the needs of their communities. The government has also been able to confirm that the funding to be provided next year will be an increase on their indicative budgets.

UK Victims’ Minister Mike Penning said:

“Victims of crime are our priority which is why we’ve made a raft of changes to ensure the criminal justice system is easier to navigate. From introducing new ways to give evidence for the most vulnerable, so sparing them the cauldron environment of a court, to a victims’ law which will ensure their rights are enshrined in legislation, we are committed to putting victims first.”

Gill Williams, 59, a qualified speech and language therapist, became a RI 7 years ago. She is based in the West Midlands.

Mrs Williams said:

“It’s incredibly satisfying because our role is neutral - we’re not on the side of the defence or prosecution and it means we assist the process of justice by ensuring that the witness is able to give their evidence accurately and coherently.

“For me it’s the perfect job because I love the rapport with the young people and vulnerable witnesses - it’s quite a privilege to have that role with them and their families and I like the intellectual challenge of ensuring that our reports make clear and accurate recommendations that will assist the court process.

“We aim to support the judge and the advocates, and as the intermediary role has developed, more young people and vulnerable witnesses have been able to give their evidence and the court process for vulnerable witnesses is changing partly as a result of our on-going recommendations and strategies.”

DC Sarah Holmes, of West Mercia Police CID, first used a RI in a case involving a young child earlier this month, she said:

“I’d never used an intermediary at court before and I was surprised at how effective it was for the victim and how much pressure it took off me as the officer in the case. I was able to concentrate on the trial and the requirements of the barrister, knowing that someone was looking after the victim, putting her at ease and making her feel comfortable in her surroundings. This was invaluable as we often have to leave witnesses to wait on their own while we make sure barristers have everything they need.

“I am looking forward to working with other intermediaries in the future and I believe their presence from an early stage in our investigations is truly beneficial.”

In September 2014, the government launched ‘Our Commitment to Victims’ which set out how we will strengthen the rights of victims by enshrining them in a new victims’ law, and bring together information and support for people affected by crime into one place with a new nationwide Victims’ Information Service, rather than expecting people to find information scattered across several websites.

As part of this package, sexual violence and rape victims will be spared the trauma of aggressive cross examination thanks to new training for advocates to be rolled out later this year.

TrackMyCrime, a new online service for people to track their case through the investigation stage is also already making it easier for victims to find the latest information about their case.

source: UK Ministry of Justice