LORELY BURT MP JOINS NSPCC IN CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT CHILD WITNESSES

10.37.16pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 26th Mar 2007

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt has joined the NSPCC in calling on government to ensure that all child witnesses have the support they need to bring abusers to justice. The NSPCC says more money is needed to improve services in England and Wales, which are inconsistent and under-funded.1

Every year, 29,000 children - some as young as five - give evidence in court.2 Many fail to get proper services to support them through the confusion and distress of appearing as a witness. Some children say the experience is as traumatic as the abuse they have suffered.

One 14-year-old girl said: "I was anxious and scared about going to court and felt intimidated by the defendant. It was difficult to sleep and eat in the weeks before the trial. I started self-harming and was treated for depression by my GP."

Lorely Burt MP has joined over 80 other Members of Parliament who have already signed an Early Day Motion (EDM 739) supporting this campaign in Parliament.

Courtroom processes can confuse and intimidate children, whose evidence is often crucial in convicting offenders. An NSPCC and Victim Support survey of 50 child witnesses revealed that half did not understand the words or phrases being used in court and almost as many had been accused of lying under cross-examination. 3

NSPCC director and chief executive Dame Mary Marsh said: "Abused children have already suffered horrific experiences. Facing court can reopen old wounds.

"Without support they are left vulnerable and ill-equipped to face interrogation in court and provide robust evidence to convict their abuser and achieve justice."

The NSPCC is asking its 80,000 campaigners and members of the public to help lobby for government action to support child witnesses. If you want to join the campaign please visit www.nspcc.org.uk/campaigning