Vulnerable Witnesses - Help Available

Intermediaries - A Voice for Vulnerable Witnesses

Intermediaries are a crucial aid to helping witnesses communicate more complete, more accurate and more coherent evidence in court.

Vulnerable witnesses who need help in court include children and young people under the age of 17 and people with physical, mental or learning disabilities or disorders.

Intermediaries are selected for their specialist communication facilitation skills and experience, for example, speech and language therapists, psychologists, teachers, health professionals, children�s guardians and social care workers.

Home Office Victims and Witnesses Minister Fiona Mactaggart said:
'Witness intermediaries can mean the difference between vulnerable witnesses communicating their best evidence or not communicating at all.
'Witnesses are key to the success of the criminal justice system. Too often in the past people who have difficulty communicating have not been able to give evidence and as a result wrong doers have not been brought to justice. Vulnerable witnesses in particular must receive the help and support they need to feel confident and reassured about giving evidence.'

Advice from some of the following organisations can make a big difference, with either a small change or a community-led programme making a positive mark on the affected area.

What are Intermediaries and what do they do?

Witness Intermediaries are trained social workers who provide assistance to vulnerable witnesses in order for them to be able to give effective evidence in court. This is done by profiling the witness, and identifying comunication obstacles throughout the criminal justice process, and also by providing support to the vulnerable witness before, during and after the court hearing, so that the person is helped to fully engage with the Criminal Justice System.

What Do People Have to Say About Intermediaries?

Dan, 20, has learning difficulties:
"In the past we have ben shut out of the criminal justice system, everyone said we were incompetent and unreliable. Intermediaries are really important for people with learning dificulties to get equal access to the criminal justice system."
"We know that intermediaries are there to make sure we all understand each other."

Parent of young woman with a learning disability who has been abused:
"We as parents know our sons and daughters best, we understand their speech, but short of us being able to represent them, an independent intermediary who is well trained is the next best possible thing to achieve the necessary evidence in court."

Kathryn Stone, Director of Voice UK:
"This scheme is absolutely crucial. For many of the people that we support, it will simply be the only way to achieve what is their right - justice."

Vulnerable Witness Conference

A Vulnerable Witness Conference was held by the MCJB and CPS Merseyside. The innovative event focussed on the profiling and support given to vulnerable witnesses, in order to ensure that they are fully capable of giving effective evidence and that they are helped to fully engage with the Criminal Justice System.

The conference was well received, building on the pioneering work already developed within Liverpool (through Liverpool Social Services) by Geraldine Monaghan and Mark Pathak. Geraldine and Mark spoke about their groundbreaking work to representatives of key local agencies so that they could see the progress made and what more can be done in the future.

As Merseyside is a pilot area for the Witness Intermediary Scheme, many more improvements to the system can be expected in the near future.

Victim Support & Witness Service

Visit Victim Support's Website
Victim Supportline 0845 3030 900

Vitim Support is the national independent charity for people affected by crime - victims and witnesses, their families and friends - and we're here in your community. Our trained staff and volunteers offer free and confidential information, support and practical help after crimes, including burglary, assault, harrassment, domestic violence, rape and murder.

Victim Support can offer:

someone to talk to in confidence
emotional support and practical help
information on the police, court procedures and the criminal justice system
support and information while attending court help with criminal injuries compensation and insurance claims
contact with - and referral to - other relevant organisations
advice on crime prevention
help with housing or benefit problems.