Ford welcomes support for child victims | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Ford welcomes support for child victims

Justice Minister David Ford has welcomed the findings of a report into the standard of interviews with young victims and witnesses of crime.

Justice Minister David Ford

Justice Minister David Ford

The Research Report into Criminal Justice Perspectives of Achieving Best Evidence Interviews with Child Witnesses explored current practice in conducting video recorded interviews with child victims and witnesses.

It aimed to identify the circumstances under which good practice happens and any actions which could further improve practice.

Following publication of the report, David Ford said, “Young victims and witnesses need particular support to tell the police what has happened to them or what they have witnessed.

“This report tells us that police officers and social workers are highly skilled when interviewing children. I commend them for the excellent work which they carry out in what are often challenging circumstances.

“The report also recognises the significant assistance which Registered Intermediaries provide especially when young children and children with a learning disability are being interviewed.

Ford added, “Nevertheless, there is always room for improvement and I welcome the steps that are to be taken to further enhance good practice.”

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LearnSpark1Neil Anderson, head of services at the NSPCC Northern Ireland said, “NSPCC Northern Ireland welcomes this research as it illustrates good practice when dealing with children who are victims of abuse.

“Children and young people who have suffered harm must receive the most sensitive handling throughout their contact with the criminal justice system.”

He added, “This report will encourage those involved in the interviewing of children while also highlighting and promoting best practice.”

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Posted by on Mar 18 2016. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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