Child witnesses: a way forward

Measures designed to improve the experience of child witnesses were announced today by the Scottish Government.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill published renewed interview guidance for police officers and social workers and announced the roll-out of visual recording equipment.

He said: “Our goal throughout this process has been to reduce the trauma and improve support for children.”

The visual recording equipment will reduce the number of times a child is interviewed, providing a more accurate record capturing the exact words, tone of voice and body language.

“Visually recorded accounts from child witnesses can be used as prior statements, an alternative way in which vulnerable children in the most serious cases can give their main evidence,” Mr MacAskill added.

He said police officers and social workers had to be trained to support children throughout the process and the revised guidance involves best practice “to ensure investigative interviews are as child-focused and stress-free as possible in order for them to give their best account”.

Mr MacAskill said the package would help to build “an effective and sensitive justice system which encourages witnesses to come forward, ensures that justice is done and improves public confidence”. The costs of the visual recording equipment will be met from existing budgets and are expected to be £315,000 in the current financial year for 36 interview suites and 55 mobile recording kits across Scotland.

Anne Houston, chief executive of Children 1st, said: “This is an important and timely shift in practice which will do much to improve the experience of children and young people when they first encounter the justice process. Crucially, it will ensure that children are enabled to give their best evidence and reassure them that their complaint is being taken seriously and that they are being listened to, in an appropriately sensitive way.”

However, she said much more has to be done to improve the whole justice experience for children and young people: “We can, and are, changing practices and procedures, but just as important is the need to change attitudes, culture and behaviour.

“We commend the government’s commitment to invest in training for police officers and social workers conducting joint investigative interviews. More training for everyone working in the justice system around children’s needs, vulnerability and specific communication issues, and in how we can improve their experience, would make a huge difference.”