Support For Witnesses And Victims In Court

EDM number 1765 in 2006-07, proposed by Annette Brooke on 25/06/2007.

That this House recognises that vulnerable witnesses and victims of crime find giving evidence to the police and in court difficult and stressful; notes that assisting vulnerable witnesses and victims to give their best evidence is vital both to their welfare and to the criminal justice system; further notes that Home Office research has found that many vulnerable witnesses and victims are not identified by criminal justice professionals and so do not receive the assistance of special measures in court; welcomes the publication of Supporting Victims by VOICE UK and the Royal College of Psychiatrists; notes that this new book uses pictures to describe what happens to a vulnerable victim, from first interviews with the police to giving evidence in court; further notes that it explains the special measures available in court, including intermediaries; commends this book for providing a means to support people with learning disabilities, children and other vulnerable victims who have difficulty understanding written words; recognises the good work of the Books Beyond Words series, of which this book is a part, in addressing difficult events in a manner that people with learning and communication difficulties can more easily understand; and calls upon the Government to ensure that criminal justice professionals are provided with the training and tools to assist vulnerable witnesses and victims.

This motion has been signed by a total of 78 MPs.