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| Cross-examination of vulnerable victims being reviewed | Cross-examination of vulnerable victims being reviewed |
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| A review of aggressive courtroom cross-examination of vulnerable victims in England and Wales is to be launched. | A review of aggressive courtroom cross-examination of vulnerable victims in England and Wales is to be launched. |
| Justice Minister Damian Green cited a recent child prostitution case in which one victim was cross-examined for 12 days by seven defence barristers. | Justice Minister Damian Green cited a recent child prostitution case in which one victim was cross-examined for 12 days by seven defence barristers. |
| He said work would be carried out over the summer to find ways to curb hostile practices after cases where witnesses were left "deeply traumatised". | He said work would be carried out over the summer to find ways to curb hostile practices after cases where witnesses were left "deeply traumatised". |
| Victim Support said the justice system often overlooked the victim. | Victim Support said the justice system often overlooked the victim. |
| Mr Green said vulnerable victims could be forced to relive the "most horrific experience they have ever had", often for days on end, when cross-examined in court. | Mr Green said vulnerable victims could be 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," he said. | "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," he said. |
| "I have ordered an investigation into how we might reduce the distress caused to victims without compromising the fundamental right to a fair trial." | "I have ordered an investigation into how we might reduce the distress caused to victims without compromising the fundamental right to a fair trial." |
| Mr Green raised concerns about the treatment of victims in the recent trial of a gang who ran a child prostitution ring in Telford, Shropshire, where one girl - who had been sold to men across England since the age of 13 - was aggressively cross-examined for 12 days by seven different defence barristers. | Mr Green raised concerns about the treatment of victims in the recent trial of a gang who ran a child prostitution ring in Telford, Shropshire, where one girl - who had been sold to men across England since the age of 13 - was aggressively cross-examined for 12 days by seven different defence barristers. |
| He said the defence barristers took it in turns to accuse her of lying, asking whether she repented of her sins, and left her in tears on the stand, adding one defence barrister walked out in protest at how aggressive the questioning was. | |
| He said the review, which will be carried out over the summer, would consider whether victims should have to answer the same question put by more than one barrister, as well as fresh guidance for judges in how to deal with such cases. | |
| The Ministry of Justice said there were already limits in place as to what kind of questions a victim could be asked in court, along with restrictions on aggressive questioning but there was no limit on how long a victim could be questioned or by how many people. | |
| 'Double trauma' | 'Double trauma' |
| The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which is working with the government on this matter, is also holding a three-month public consultation on interim guidelines, published earlier this month, for cases of child sexual abuse. | The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which is working with the government on this matter, is also holding a three-month public consultation on interim guidelines, published earlier this month, for cases of child sexual abuse. |
| Under the guidelines, which cover cross-examination by defence barristers as well as behaviour by prosecutors, the defence team is advised to agree who will be the lead counsel to put questions to the victim in cases with more than one defendant, and the length of time given to the cross-examination. | Under the guidelines, which cover cross-examination by defence barristers as well as behaviour by prosecutors, the defence team is advised to agree who will be the lead counsel to put questions to the victim in cases with more than one defendant, and the length of time given to the cross-examination. |
| They also say a ground rules hearing should be held in advance of the trial so that the victim is aware of what to expect and how long the proceedings in court should take | They also say a ground rules hearing should be held in advance of the trial so that the victim is aware of what to expect and how long the proceedings in court should take |
| Mr Green also recently announced a pilot scheme to use pre-recorded evidence for vulnerable victims and witnesses so that they are no longer cross-examined in open court. | Mr Green also recently announced a pilot scheme to use pre-recorded evidence for vulnerable victims and witnesses so that they are no longer cross-examined in open court. |
| Javed Khan, chief executive of Victim Support, said there was a need to rebalance the justice system which often overlooked the needs of the victim. | Javed Khan, chief executive of Victim Support, said there was a need to rebalance the justice system which often overlooked the needs of the victim. |
| "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. | "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. | "This is surely not the best way to obtain sound, accurate evidence, or indeed to protect vulnerable victims and witnesses. |
| "Recent announcements, such as enabling the use of pre-recorded interviewing in safe spaces, go some way to redress the balance for victims. | "Recent announcements, such as enabling the 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." | "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." |