THE FACTS
- 26 per cent of recorded rape victims are children under 16.
- 29,000 children are called on to give evidence in court each year. Many of these children will have suffered from physical or sexual abuse.
Imagine you are eight years old, you have been abused again and again for the last three years….you’re too scared to even think about telling someone…he says that if you tell, no-one will ever believe you. Your mum thinks that he is her friend, you know that he isn’t. Your mum relies on him for help. You cry every night scared that he will come to the house to take you out for the afternoon. You know these ‘trips’ will mean you will have to meet one of his friends again….you hate it…it makes you feel sick. The police arrive at your house…they have found out what he’s done…someone’s told on him. It’s all such a mess…your mum is crying in the kitchen….
You thought it was all over… but now you have to go to court. You’ve just had your 9th birthday and you’ve still only told your mum what has happened…now you have to present your evidence to a group of strangers. He will be there…you’re scared…you don’t know if you can. Your mum is scared too. The lady from the NSPCC says that they have people that will look after you now…and when you go to court. You feel like your whole world has turned upside down…but at least it has stopped and you know he can’t hurt you anymore. |
The Caring for Children in Court Appeal
 The Caring for Children in Court team headed up by Noel Edmonds are raising vital funds for the NSPCC young witness service. It wants to ensure the public is aware of the issues facing young witness and campaign for every child to receive pre-trial support when giving evidence in court.
We urgently need to raise £3.2m over five years to fund five young witness services to make life better for hundreds of children. The Caring for Children in Court Appeal has already raised over £1 million, which has provided individual support for over 1400 children giving evidence in court.
We also must persuade the government to fully support all young witnesses nationally before, during and after trials.
NSPCC Young Witness Service
For convictions to be made, children, some as young as five, might have to be cross-examined and recount the horror of their abuse with a room full of strangers listening to each intimate detail. The UK court system is very adult focused and trials can take up to a year to go to court; this is a lifetime for a child.
Children tell us that giving evidence in court about the abuse they have suffered can be worse than the abuse itself.
The NSPCC has five Young Witness Services supporting nearly 900 of the most vulnerable children giving evidence throughout England and Wales. These projects, alongside our many others, allowed us to help over 20,000 children and their families in 2006.
In each service, an NSPCC young witness supporter works through children’s worries and concerns prior to the trial, giving them the confidence to give their full testimony. The supporters sometimes work with very young children and those who could have been severely abused.
“I was anxious and scared about going to court and felt intimidated by the defendant. It was difficult to sleep and eat in the weeks before the trial. I started self-harming and was treated for depression by my GP.” (Kathy, 14, waited 18 months to give evidence).
The supporter advocates for the child’s rights and appropriate treatment on the day of the trial and tries to ensure that the child is treated fairly. For a young witness the ordeal of giving evidence does not end with the trial. Revisiting past experiences can revive feelings of hurt, pain and anger.
“I was really scared I would see the man who abused me but I felt a lot better when I had met my worker who explained everything to me and said she would help and support me.” (A young witness supported by the NSPCC Cheshire young witness service)
After the trial, the supporter talks through the child’s and family’s feelings about the outcome to help them come to terms with what has happened.
The support, advice and preparation provided by a supporter over a period of time greatly reduces the distress experienced by young witnesses. It helps them give their evidence as clearly as possible and to be more confident and better equipped to give a full and accurate testimony in court.
"without the help of the NSPCC I don't know how I would have coped. My life is now stable, I can't forget what happened but I am able to live and grow. I can't thank you all enough" (young witness supported by the NSPCC)
We have a crucial responsibility to support the most vulnerable in our Society. Every child has the right to full support whilst giving evidence in court. Please support the Caring for Children in Court Appeal.
The NSPCC urgently needs your help to give these children what they deserve. Thank you |
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