Witnesses to crime promised protection
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.WITNESSES and victims of crime will be escorted from home to court in order to give evidence under government plans to combat intimidation in the legal system.
Other proposals, to be announced this week, include setting up more waiting areas in court buildings to separate witnesses from the accused as they wait to be called.
The moves are among 70 recommendations which will emerge this week from a Home Office study, which also proposes changes to the way rape trials are conducted.
The plans are designed to ease the plight of victims or witnesses of low-level crime whose lives are often made difficult because they live in close proximity to the perpetrators. The problem is particularly acute on inner-cityhousing estates.
Jack Straw, the Home Secretary, set up the committee last June amid rising concern over the widening gap between reported crime and convictions.
Since 1980, recorded crime has roughly doubled, while court convictions have fallen by about one-third, although part of that drop is due to the rise in the use of cautions.
The working party, which included representatives from the police, the courts and victim support groups, will publish its proposals this week, and legislation is expected in the next parliamentary session. The group will propose changes in the law to make it easier to prosecute those who intimidate witnesses.
Those most at risk may be given panic alarms to summon aid, and local authorities will be urged to help re-house those vulnerable to intimidation.
Suggested changes to the way rape trials are conducted will be aimed at making it more difficult for barristers to cross-examine women about their sexual histories - one element of the trial process which deters rape victims from pursuing cases.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments