Better Protection for Vulnerable Witnesses

Safe spaces and modern facilities to help empower domestic and sexual violence survivors and other vulnerable witnesses to give their best evidence in court have been upgraded at the Young Courthouse.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the project would help ensure witnesses felt more secure when attending court.

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting victim-survivors if they choose to report to police, and it is good to know that these facilities are available to support them and help alleviate the trauma of coming to court,” Ms Cooke said.

Young Courthouse has seen upgrades to their remote witness room, their safe room along with secure access doors.

Attorney General Mark Speakman said the now completed works utilised $9 million of COVID-19 stimulus funding from the previous federal government to deliver new or upgraded safe rooms and remote witness rooms in metropolitan and regional courthouses.

“Under the NSW Government’s domestic violence reforms, complainants in domestic violence criminal proceedings and related apprehended domestic violence order proceedings have a prima facie entitlement to give evidence remotely via audio visual and in a closed court,” Mr Speakman said.

“These new and upgraded facilities give vulnerable witnesses the private, secure areas they need to prepare for court and to provide evidence.”

Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the prospect of having to face an alleged abuser, or their family members, in open court can re-traumatise and exacerbate the stress of having to testify in court.

“This is about further protecting and minimising the trauma of domestic violence victim-survivors,” Mrs Ward said.

“These new safe rooms and remote witness facilities enhance support for the courageous victims who come forward to report abuse. The NSW Government is committed to supporting victim-survivors if they choose to report to police, and it is crucial these facilities are available to support them and help alleviate the trauma of coming to court.”

Witness Room Upgrades at Young Courthouse

Domestic violence complainants and other vulnerable witnesses will be empowered to give their best evidence in court thanks to upgrades at Young Courthouse.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the project, part of $9 million in COVID-19 Commonwealth stimulus funding will fully enclose the remote witness room and add acoustic treatments to the walls. The refurbished safe room will include new furniture and flooring, a kitchenette and secure access doors.

“It is heartening to see our region benefit from this investment, which will help vulnerable people feel safer to come to court,” Ms Cooke said.

“These upgrades will give witnesses better private and secure areas to prepare for court and to give their best evidence.”

Attorney General and Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Mark Speakman said witnesses have commonly been through serious trauma and coming to court can be very stressful.

“This is particularly true for victim-survivors of domestic, family, and sexual violence,” Mr Speakman said.

“This is part of our ongoing commitment to support victim-survivors if they choose to report to police, and to help them feel confident in coming to court.” 

Later this year, self-represented defendants will be banned from personally cross examining complainants in domestic violence criminal proceedings and related apprehended domestic violence order proceedings, under new laws passed last November.

As part of the same reforms, complainants in these proceedings also now have a prima facie entitlement to give evidence remotely via audio-visual link and in a closed court. The contract has been awarded to Intrec Management Pty Ltd. Start dates are currently being finalised and the stimulus project will be completed by the end of the year.