TY  - SER
AU  - Randell, Isabel
AU  - Seymour, Fred
AU  - Henderson, Emily
AU  - Blackwell, Suzanne
TI  - Experiences of young complainant witnesses in criminal court trials for sexual offences
PY  - 2018///
PB  - Taylor and Francis
KW  - CHILDREN
KW  - CAREGIVERS
KW  - CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
KW  - COURTS
KW  - CRIMINAL JUSTICE
KW  - EVIDENCE
KW  - LAW REFORM
KW  - PARENTS
KW  - SEXUAL VIOLENCE
KW  - SUPPORT SERVICES
KW  - VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
KW  - YOUNG PEOPLE
KW  - NEW ZEALAND
N1  - Psychiatry, Psychology and the Law, 2018, 25(3): 357-373
N2  - For effective provision of justice it is important that young witnesses are involved in criminal trials, yet participation may be detrimental to their well-being and presents challenges for gaining full and accurate evidence from them. Innovations in court processes intended to support the well-being of young witnesses should, amongst other considerations, be informed by the perspectives and experiences of those whom they are intended to assist. The participants in the current study consisted of young complainant witnesses who were involved in criminal court trials for sexual offences, along with their parents or caregivers. Semi-structured interviews with individual participants were conducted. Audio recordings of interviews were then transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Nine themes were identified in the data: (1) pre-trial delay makes everything worse, (2) uncertainty is difficult and being prepared is important, (3) cross-examination is stressful, (4) having a voice is a positive aspect of the trial, (5) the possibility of seeing the defendant is stressful, (6) for parents, putting on a brave face and being a supporter is challenging, (7) young witnesses feel exposed by the court process and family members feel exposed to details of the offending, (8) support is critical, and (9) families place importance on the verdict and sentencing. The findings are considered within the New Zealand context as well as other jurisdictions, and recommendations are made.. (Author's abstract). See also the PhD thesis on related to this research (#6772) and the related report (#6691). Record #6771
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1080/13218719.2017.1396866
UR  - https://www.lawfoundation.org.nz/?p=11181
ER  -