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Written question asked by Pauline Latham (Conservative) on Wednesday, 2 November 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 November 2016. It was answered by Oliver Heald (Conservative) on Thursday, 10 November 2016 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Offences against Children

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to limit the potential re-traumatisation of vulnerable 16 and 17 year old victims of sexual abuse or exploitation in the criminal justice system.

Answer

The Government is committed to making sure that vulnerable and intimidated victims and witnesses get the support they need and have the confidence to come forward. A range of measures already exist to help reduce their anxiety, including giving evidence through live-link to the courtroom from a different room in the court, or away from the court building altogether, and the use of a Registered Intermediary. We doubled the number of Registered Intermediaries at the end of 2015 to increase the number available to help vulnerable and intimidated victims and witnesses give evidence.

We are also rolling out recorded pre-trial cross-examination in the Crown Courts from next year so that vulnerable witnesses do not have to give their evidence at trial. In addition to this, we are requiring publicly-funded advocates in sexual offences cases to undertake specialist training on working with vulnerable victims and witnesses.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
51605
Session
2016-17
Subjects
Criminal proceedings Offences against children
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk