At a recent meeting we were pleased to welcome Katy Muller from the Court Witness Service. She gave us an informative talk which gave rise to a lively Q&A session.
The Witness Service was founded in 1994 by Victim Support after research showed that witnesses needed help to testify in court. The service is now funded by the Ministry of Justice and Citizen’s Advice run the service. The Witness Service supports witnesses who are attending criminal courts to give evidence relating to perpetrators and victims. Support can be provided to children, vulnerable adults and support animals.
Because the Witness Service is an off-shoot of Citizen’s Advice, help can extend beyond the court case. Volunteers for the Witness Service often build a rapport with the witness, with conversations taking place which can lead to witnesses and their extended family being able to receive help or signposting in relation to support services. This can lead to help with issues such as housing, debt, mental health or domestic violence.
The Witness Service provides practical and impartial support to people when they go to court to give evidence – this experience is not the norm for people and can be daunting. Katy talked about various approaches that are used to help witnesses. Volunteers may be able to take witnesses into the court before the case, or request measures to help the witnesses. Sometimes screens are used, or the use of live links for children so they do not have to be present in court during a case, or measures under Section 28, where the witness is filmed giving evidence prior to the trial. These measures will help the witness to prepare for the court case. Volunteers will provide practical tips such as advising the witness to speak slowly. The volunteers may be in court from the beginning of the trial through to sentencing to be available for the witness.
Volunteers undergo a training programme that includes online training and assessments and shadowing other volunteers. At the end of training, volunteers have a guided discussion and are observed supporting vulnerable witnesses. Once accredited, the volunteer receives their badge and certificate.
The volunteer role can be demanding psychologically; some witnesses are calm whilst others are scared and may need a listening ear. The volunteer will talk to the witness to build rapport, understanding and to break down barriers. Volunteers come from all walks of life and need to commit to a year of service once trained. They need to be able to keep to the remit of providing support whilst observing boundaries and remaining non-judgemental throughout. The expectation is that volunteers will attend a minimum of twice a month (for the whole day each time, for continuity) and there can be a lot of change during each day. A typical day will start with a briefing and order of the day, then volunteers will be allocated to various courts.
The Witness Service also runs outreach services, depending on the level of need, and can participate in video and phone calls to provide witnesses with support. There are other organisations that provide support – for example IDVAs and ISVAs (Independent domestic violence adviser and Independent Sexual Violence Adviser). The Witness Service will work with these where necessary.
Katy mentioned challenges that witnesses face that the Witness Service helps with, such as the delays in bringing cases to court, which may take years. These delays have a significant impact on witnesses, leading some to drop out, as can the fear of reprisal. The waits during court cases can be hours long, with the witness sometimes only giving evidence for a few minutes.
Katy explained that the witness and victim will have made their statements prior to the court case, and this is the basis upon which the questions will be asked in court. Juries do not see evidence in advance of the case – the prosecution will present evidence. Some barristers spend time with vulnerable witnesses which will help.
The Witness Service does not offer legal advice but are advocates and may speak to barristers and the CPS where there is a concern for the witness.
A discussion followed around the club’s potential to provide support to the local Witness Service.
If you are interested in Volunteering for the Witness Service more information can be found at Citizen Advice Witness Service.