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Child witnesses need more support

1 min read Social Care Youth Justice
Plans to give young court witnesses better support do not go far enough, it has been claimed.

A number of measures have been announced to make it less daunting for children to give evidence following a consultation on improving the process for young witnesses.

These include extending the use of special measures from under-17s to under-18s, allowing a "supporter" in the TV link room and allowing more choice as to how evidence is given.

The NSPCC has welcomed the proposed measures but claimed more could be done.

Barbara Esam, public policy lawyer at the NSPCC, said the government should have taken the opportunity to implement existing legislation by allowing pre-recorded cross-examination of child witnesses.

"The key is to get the evidence captured as early as possible so the process is over quickly for the child. There is a big implementation gap between government policy and what people are experiencing in court."

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