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Court arrangements for vulnerable witnesses
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Giving evidence can be especially traumatic for vulnerable witnesses, including children and victims of sexual assault and other crimes of personal violence.

To reduce this extra stress and trauma as much as possible, special arrangements can be made in court. The ODPP prosecutor or your WAS officer will talk to you about what arrangements are available to you.

Just remember, the court has to agree to them being made.

Sexual assault matters

To follow are the arrangements that can be made in sexual assault matters.

Serious matters involving young witnesses

If you are under 18 years old, you are entitled to have at least one support person with you when you give your evidence, whether you give it in the courtroom or the CCTV / AVL room. If it is in the courtroom, the judge or magistrate will decide where your support person sits.

Witnesses with a cognitive impairment

To follow are the arrangements that can be made for witnesses with a cognitive impairment.

Domestic violence matters

If you are a victim of domestic violence and police made a video or audio recording of your statement – either at the scene of the incident or later – this can be played in court as your evidence-in-chief.

Language, disability support

ODPP can arrange for an interpreter and if you have a disability or will require extra support to give your evidence..