Annual Report 2012-2013 page 21

WAS role in supporting witnesses

Witness Assistants possess professional qualifications and experience which enables them to assess the needs of each individual client, and then liaise with the prosecutors and Court staff in relation to any specific needs or concerns.

The WAS supports clients using the priority model. Witness Assistants initiate contact with the clients to schedule a (voluntary) ‘meet and greet’ which entails an informal meeting with the client, the prosecutor and a Witness Assistant. If the client is unable to be contacted, a letter is sent to them outlining the role of the WAS and offering assistance.

During the 2012–2013 financial year, the WAS maintained contact with clients throughout Court processes – this also included attending further meetings at the Office as required. This ongoing contact kept clients abreast of the proceedings and provided them with opportunities to have any questions or concerns addressed by prosecutors or Witness Assistants. Witness Assistants continued to assist prosecutors in proofing sessions prior to Court hearings and trials. Further, the WAS was actively involved in escorting clients to Court and/or sitting with clients in remote witness rooms and/or in Court rooms for hearings and trials. At the completion of Court matters, Witness Assistants often sat in on debrief sessions with prosecutors and clients. This often provided a level of solace for clients and an opportunity for questions and concerns to be answered regarding how the Court proceedings went.

Training provided by WAS

The WAS continued to provide training to the AFP new recruits four times per year at the Police College. The WAS also provided training to volunteers of Victim Support ACT (VSACT) who provide a volunteer Court support service for victims of crime.

The WAS provided in-house training to legal and administrative staff within the Office, with particular emphasis on working with clients identified through the priority model. This included meeting with new prosecutors and explaining the role and functions of the WAS and regularly providing relevant information to prosecutors at the Sexual Assault and Family Violence team meetings. An example of this was advising prosecutors of services/programs provided by external service providers for victims of family violence and sexual assault offences, as well as services available for the perpetrators.

Contact with external service providers

During the 2012–2013 financial year, the WAS continued to attend weekly Family Violence case tracking meetings with relevant parties including the AFP, ACT Corrective Services (ACTCS), Care and Protection Services (CPS), VSACT and the Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS). This forum was important in identifying support services linked in with victims of family violence.

The WAS continued to attend monthly Wraparound Sexual Assault Reform Program (SARP) meetings with the AFP, CPS, Child at Risk Health Unit (CARHU), Forensic and Medical Sexual Assault Care (FAMSAC), Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC) and VSACT. As with the Family Violence case tracking meetings, Wraparound continued to provide a confidential forum where updated information regarding client matters was discussed. The WAS was responsible for providing updated information involving matters where Court proceedings were afoot.

In addition the WAS also attended regular meetings with VSACT to discuss the progress of Court proceedings involving mutual clients. This ensures there is no duplication of services, and that vulnerable witnesses do not fall between services.