The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has expanded a scheme that allows victims and witnesses of crimes, such as rape and modern slavery, to have their cross-examination video-recorded and played later in trial.
The video is recorded as close as possible to the time of the offence, while memories are fresh, in the presence of defence and prosecution lawyers and the defendant and is overseen by a judge.
The scheme has been successfully trialled in 12 Crown Courts, and will now be rolled out across an additional 14 Crown Courts. The MoJ has said it intends the scheme to be available across England and Wales by September.
Elaine Langshaw, CEO of Newcastle Women’s Aid, said: ‘Survivors of sexual crimes are often reluctant to progress prosecutions as they cannot face further trauma in the courtroom.
‘We feel if this barrier is removed it will encourage survivors to report to the police and to seek justice.’
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