Victim Support launches website to help young victims and witnesses of crime

Victim Support has launched a new website to help children and young people who are victims or witnesses of crime.

The website, www.youandco.org.uk, is a response to concerns that children and young people are intimidated by the criminal justice system and do not know where they stand. Research commissioned by the charity indicates that some young people do not want to go to the police and are scared of testifying in court, while others may not realise that they have been the victims of crime at all. Much of children’s fear of the justice system stems from not knowing what to expect, so the website has several interactive courtrooms which explain the procedures of a trial and who is who.

Amanda Naylor, senior manager of children and young people services at Victim Support, said: “More under 18s are the victim of crime than any other age group, yet our research shows they don’t always realise they are crime victims and don’t know where to go to get help if they don’t want to go to the police. This is why it’s so important that there is somewhere, like this website, setting it out in a way that makes sense to children and young people. We planned and developed this website in collaboration with a panel of under 18s as we wanted to make sure it would work for them. We rely on donations to continue the face-to-face support our experts offer to young crime victims, including victims of child sexual exploitation.”

In related news, the Ministry of Justice has announced that victims and witnesses will also be given more support by doubling the number of courtroom experts available. Jeremy Robson, barrister and senior lecturer in advocacy at Nottingham Law School, said: “It is now widely accepted by the legal profession and judiciary that more needs to be done to assist witnesses and defendants who have difficulty communicating because of age or vulnerability, to engage in the court system. Intermediaries play a vital role in bringing about this change as they can help judges and lawyers understand how a witness can give his or her best evidence in court. Justice is not done and a fair trial is not achieved if an individual is prevented from answering questions or made to feel uncomfortable because their communication needs are not understood. Therefore the decision to increase the number of intermediaries is to be welcomed. However, intermediaries are only part of the process and if we are really wish to see that rights of vulnerable witnesses properly protected we need to ensure that the criminal justice system as a whole is properly resourced. Current cuts to the justice system have resulted in an increase in the length of time for case to reach trial, an increase in the number of defendants representing themselves and overburdened judges, lawyers and court staff. Until these issues are addressed, the benefit that will come form increasing the number of intermediaries will not be truly felt.”

If you want to donate to Victim Support, you can do so at www.victimsupport.org.uk/donate.