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Child Sexual Offence Evidence Program
The Child Sexual Offence Evidence Program aims to reduce the stress and trauma experienced by children and young people who are victims and prosecution witnesses in sexual offence cases.
The program makes the criminal justice process easier for children by pre-recording their evidence and providing witness intermediaries to assist them during police interview and at court.
It currently operates in Sydney and Newcastle District Courts, and Central Metropolitan, South West Metropolitan and Hunter Child Abuse Units. From 1 July 2023, the program will roll out across NSW to all NSW Police Force Child Abuse Units and NSW District Courts.
What does Victims Services do?
Victims Services maintains the panel of witness intermediaries, including their training and accreditation.
We also assist with organising the communication assessment of child victims and prosecution witnesses in sexual offence cases. When the police or courts require a witness intermediary, we match the request with someone who has the appropriate skill set and qualifications to assist with the communication issues identified.
What is a witness intermediary?
A witness intermediary is an accredited professional from one of five primary disciplines - speech pathology, social work, psychology, teaching or occupational therapy.
The witness intermediary’s role is to assist child witnesses to give their best evidence in criminal investigations and court proceedings. Witness intermediaries are impartial. They are not expert witnesses, advocates, or a support person.
Who has access to a witness intermediary?
Witness intermediaries may be requested to assist with a police interview for children under 18 years of age.
In court, witness intermediaries are appointed by the Judge for all children under 16 years of age. For people 16 to 18 years old with communication difficulties, a witness intermediary may be appointed by the Judge or upon request.
Last updated:
15 Apr 2024
Contact us
Call
Victims Access Line: 1800 633 063
Mon – Fri, 9am to 5pm (excluding public holidays)
For the National Relay Service, call 13 36 77 (TTY) or 1300 555 727 (Speak and Listen).
For interpreter support, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50.
Email
We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the First Nations Peoples of NSW and pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future.
Informed by lessons of the past, Department of Communities and Justice is improving how we work with Aboriginal people and communities. We listen and learn from the knowledge, strength and resilience of Stolen Generations Survivors, Aboriginal Elders and Aboriginal communities.
You can access our apology to the Stolen Generations.
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