Victims at Court

Question 1

Witness Service - Angle et al 2003

Answer 1

81% of all witnesses had contact with this service

78% of witnesses were fairly or very satisfied with the CJS

Question 2

Hamlyn et al 2003

Answer 2

witnesses take up TV link and clearing public gallery as an option for the court process
most common source of anxiety is seeing the defendant and their relatives

Question 3

Victims Strategy - HM Gov 2018

Answer 3

creating new offences to protect more victims and bring offenders to justice including:
-coercive or controlling behaviour, revenge porn

Victims need:

• fair treatment during the justice process
• multi-agency working

Question 4

Role of victims at court

Answer 4

trial - if defendant pleads not guilty:

• witnesses can only view proceedings after they have given evidence
• those watching who aren’t witnesses may be placed in public gallery with defendant’s relatives

after finding guilty:
- victims statement may be read
prosecution may mention compensation

Question 5

Victim Personal Statements

Answer 5

Advs - judges can learn about the impact of crimes more generally, victims feel they have been listened to
Disadvs - VPSs hardly contain info the judges wouldn’t guess anyway and some argue that these statements affect the defendants position

Question 6

Witness Service

Answer 6

organised and run by Citizens Advice, offers familiarisation visits and support in separate waiting rooms, 81% of all witnesses had contact with this service