The Scottish Government

Introduction

Child Witnesses

The Scottish Executive is committed to modernising the justice system so that the needs of victims and witnesses are properly met. Child witnesses and victims are especially vulnerable. The whole legal process, from the start of an investigation, then giving evidence in court, right through to after the outcome of the trial, can make an already traumatic experience even more upsetting and stressful. We want to increase support and improve standards for child witnesses to help them better participate in the legal process and give their best evidence.

We aim to set standards of practice which will significantly improve how children are dealt with throughout all legal proceedings.

• We will implement the Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004 which will introduce particular protection and support for child witnesses
• We have developed a Child Witness Support Pack which contains guidance on

• Interviewing Child Witnesses
• Questioning Children in Court and
  
  Appendix to Guidance on the Questioning of Children in Court (Lord Justice-General's Memorandum on Child Witnesses 1990) - Page 7, paragraph 5 of main document refers
• Conduct of Child Witness Court Familiarisation Visits
  
• Code of Practice to Facilitate the Provision of Therapeutic Support to Child Witnesses in Court Proceedings
• Information about Child, Young and Vulnerable Adult Witnesses to Inform Decision Making in the Legal Process - Good Practice Guidance
• Conduct of Identity Parades with Child Witnesses and the complimentary booklets Video Identification Parades - A Booklet for Children and Young People and Your Child is Attending A Video Identification Parade - A Booklet for Parents and Carers

• We have established a new dedicated Victims and Witnesses Unit within the Executive which will look at the coordination of all vulnerable witness support including children

The Pack and this web site will continue to be updated with information and guidance on the implementation of the Lord Advocate's Working Group on Child Witness Support Recommendations, the implementation of the Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004 and other areas of work which contribute to increased and improved support for child witnesses.

The Lord Advocate's Working Group on Child Witness Support.