Support At Court
Victim Support NI’s Witness Service
Victim Support NI has a Witness Service at criminal courts throughout Northern Ireland. They can arrange a pre-trial court familiarisation visit, and will support you and your family whilst at court. They can provide you with a separate waiting area where facilities allow, will explain court processes and jargon, and can help with any additional needs you might have at court.
You are entitled to ask for the opportunity to enter the building before other members of the public, or through a separate entrance from the defendant and their family and friends. The Witness Service can help you with this.
The Witness Service is a free and confidential service for adult witnesses, designed to:
- Give you someone to talk to, although they cannot discuss your evidence
- Provide information on court procedures
- Provide a familiarisation visit to the court ahead of the trial date
- Provide a quiet place for you to wait before and during the hearing
- Have someone accompany you to the courtroom or the live TV link room when you give evidence
- Provide practical help with things like expense forms
- Put you in touch with people who can answer specific legal questions
- Give you a chance to talk over the case once it is over, get more help, or information.
Additional Support
For some people, the impact of crime is greater than for others. This includes vulnerable and intimidated victims and witnesses. You are considered to be a vulnerable victim when giving evidence if you:
- are under 18 at the time of the hearing
- the quality of your evidence is likely to be affected due to mental health issues, learning or communication difficulties, a neurological disorder, or a physical disability
You are considered to be an intimidated victim if the quality of your evidence is likely to be affected because of your fear or distress about testifying. You may automatically fall into this category if you are a victim of a sexual assault, trafficking or slavery. You may also be considered to be intimidated if you
- have been harassed, bullied, or victimised
- are a frail and older person
- are a victim of organised crime or terrorism
- are a victim of hate crime
- neglect or harm yourself
- are a victim of exploitation
- are making allegations against professionals or carers
As a vulnerable or intimidated victim, you may need extra help to give your evidence at court. The VWCU will carry out a needs assessment to identify your needs and what support you may require. Once your needs have been assessed, and you have been identified as being eligible for additional support or special measures, the VWCU will discuss what measures may be available and appropriate to your case. The prosecutor is usually responsible for making the application for special measures. This can be done via the VWCU or directly through the PPS. The judge decides whether special measures will be granted.
If you are under 18, the NSPCC have a dedicated ‘Young Witness Service’ which offers support to young people attending court. More details on the service can be found here
