Every year, more than 500 children and young people give evidence in criminal cases in Northern Ireland. With this in mind, NSPCC Northern Ireland’s Young Witness Service (YWS) has today launched a video to help guide them through the Criminal Justice System.
The animated video, which is voiced by a young person, uses child-friendly language to describe the experience of going through the court process in Northern Ireland.
It acknowledges that this can be difficult and that it is normal to be apprehensive.
The short video also outlines all the support which the NSPCC’s Young Witness Service can give to children and their families before, during and after the court process. It is an easy-to-understand tool to help young people and their families, and is designed to give them more confidence in the system and the agencies there to support them.
Jenni Boyce, Partnership Service Manager at NSPCC Northern Ireland’s Young Witness Service, said: “The young people we have worked with over the last 20 years have told us that going through court is a very difficult and stressful process.
“This is hardly surprising as it can be very challenging for adults, never mind children and we are delighted to have produced this video which outlines all that NSPCC’s Young Witness Service can do to help.
“For example, the video shows how we spend time with the young witnesses before they need to go to court and how we explain to them exactly what will be involved.
“We can visit them at home and give them a tour of the court or remote evidence centre in advance of the case and we can also introduce them to the staff and volunteers who will be supporting them.
“This all familiarises them with the court process and gives much-needed reassurance.
“We continue to support them after the case, if they need it, and can help them access other services they may need.
“However, it’s not just about making young people feel more supported when going to give evidence. Research[1] has shown that the support given by the team of social workers and Young Witness volunteers actually helps to reduce some of the inevitable stress of going through court and, in turn, enables the young witnesses to answer questions, put to them, more fully.
“This gives the judge or jury better evidence to help make a more informed decision about the outcome of the case.
“We have put children right at the heart of this video and hope it will help and inform young people and their families as well as letting them know we are there to support them when they need it.”
Department of Justice Permanent Secretary, Richard Pengelly, said: “The Department of Justice is pleased to finance this Young Witness Service animation through the Victims of Crime Fund.
“It will be a valuable tool in explaining to children, young people and their families the supporting role of the Young Witness Service and in helping them understand and prepare for what the criminal justice process might involve.
“This Service, which is funded by the Department, plays a key role in supporting children and young people as they participate in the criminal justice system.
“The strong partnership between the Department and the NSPCC Young Witness Service underlines the importance placed on helping children and young people tell the court about their experiences.
“I congratulate the team on producing such an effective resource for child witnesses.”
The video can be accessed at: https://youtu.be/s6BIk3shkMA
The NSPCC’s Young Witness Service, which was set up in 1999, is based in Northern Ireland and is the only one of its kind in the UK. It was created specifically to support children and young people, under 18 years of age, who are required to attend court to give evidence and operates in every crown, magistrates’ and youth court in Northern Ireland.
The work carried out by Young Witness Service over the years has shown there is a real need for clear and concise information tailored to the needs of child witnesses and produced in a way they can understand.
The service urgently needs more volunteers to help them provide vital support to families going through the criminal justice process.
For more information on the roles and how you can apply, please visit NSPCC at https://www.nspcc.org.uk/support-us/volunteering-nspcc-childline/volunteer-young-witness-service/