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| Courtroom treatment of vulnerable victims faces review | Courtroom treatment of vulnerable victims faces review |
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| An investigation is being launched into aggressive courtroom cross-examination of vulnerable victims in the wake of high-profile child sex abuse cases, Damian Green has confirmed. | An investigation is being launched into aggressive courtroom cross-examination of vulnerable victims in the wake of high-profile child sex abuse cases, Damian Green has confirmed. |
| The justice minister said work would be carried out over the summer to find ways to curb hostile practices after a growing number of cases in which witnesses were left "deeply traumatised". | The justice minister said work would be carried out over the summer to find ways to curb hostile practices after a growing number of cases in which witnesses were left "deeply traumatised". |
| Green raised concerns about the treatment of victims in the recent trial of a gang who ran a child prostitution ring in Telford, Shropshire. One girl who had been sold to men across England since the age of 13 was cross-examined by seven defence barristers over 12 days. | Green raised concerns about the treatment of victims in the recent trial of a gang who ran a child prostitution ring in Telford, Shropshire. One girl who had been sold to men across England since the age of 13 was cross-examined by seven defence barristers over 12 days. |
| Green said the review would consider whether barristers should only be allowed to bring up new points, and explore fresh guidance for judges on how to deal with such cases. | Green said the review would consider whether barristers should only be allowed to bring up new points, and explore fresh guidance for judges on how to deal with such cases. |
| Green said: "It wouldn't be right to ignore the concerns of vulnerable victims forced to relive the most horrific experience they have ever had, often for days on end, when cross-examined in court. | Green said: "It wouldn't be right to ignore the concerns of vulnerable victims forced to relive the most horrific experience they have ever had, often for days on end, when cross-examined in court. |
| "The growing number of cases where victims report being left deeply traumatised by aggressive cross-examination from multiple defence barristers mean that questions must be asked. I have ordered an investigation into how we might reduce the distress caused to victims without compromising the fundamental right to a fair trial." | "The growing number of cases where victims report being left deeply traumatised by aggressive cross-examination from multiple defence barristers mean that questions must be asked. I have ordered an investigation into how we might reduce the distress caused to victims without compromising the fundamental right to a fair trial." |
| Javed Khan, chief executive of Victim Support, said: "Victim Support has long called for a rebalancing of a justice system that too often overlooks the needs of the victim, so we welcome today's announcement. | Javed Khan, chief executive of Victim Support, said: "Victim Support has long called for a rebalancing of a justice system that too often overlooks the needs of the victim, so we welcome today's announcement. |
| "Time and again we see victims who have had to endure a double trauma, first at the hands of those who have harmed them, only to then face torturous cross-examination and degrading questions from multiple defence barristers in court. This is surely not the best way to obtain sound, accurate evidence, or indeed to protect vulnerable victims and witnesses. | "Time and again we see victims who have had to endure a double trauma, first at the hands of those who have harmed them, only to then face torturous cross-examination and degrading questions from multiple defence barristers in court. This is surely not the best way to obtain sound, accurate evidence, or indeed to protect vulnerable victims and witnesses. |
| "Recent announcements such enabling use of pre-recorded interviewing in safe spaces go some way to redress the balance for victims. However, we believe much more can and should be done, such as better use of special measures and compulsory training for defence barristers on how to handle young and vulnerable witnesses." |