New video and leaflet support survivors in giving evidence
The final version of the video will be screened at an online launch event hosted by the University of Oxford on the 7 November 2024 at 12:45pm. HHJ David Aubrey KC (formerly the Lead Judge for s. 28) will speak at the event and Dr Kyneswood will discuss the process of making the video. Register here for the event.
The full version of the video will be uploaded to the project website and publicly accessible soon after the launch event. The related leaflet is also available to view online or to download from the project website by visiting: https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/which-special-measure-video-and-leaflet.
Which special measure leaflet ONLINE EASY READ VERSION
Dr Natalie Kyneswood has developed an accessible information video and related leaflet for adult victim-survivors giving evidence.
The resources explain the different ways victim-survivors can give evidence to the police and at court, including special measures under the YJCEA 1999. The video addresses some of the concerns and questions victim-survivors have about using special measures by demonstrating how they work in the context of the courtroom, including the pros and cons of using screens, live-link and pre-recorded cross-examination. While the video is 15 minutes long, the trifold A4 leaflet which accompanies the video highlights the key points contained in the video and provides a glossary of legal terms.
Members of the Criminal Bar Association RASSO Sub-Committee were consulted on the making of the video and provided feedback on the draft script which was incorporated into the final version of the video.
Dr Kyneswood is a Postdoctoral Associate at the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, University of Oxford, is a non-practising barrister, and has conducted ESRC funded research into the piloting of pre-recorded cross-examination for intimidated witnesses in sex offence cases. Natalie created the video because her research showed that adult complainants in sex offence cases lack timely, impartial and detailed information about special measures, including pre-recorded cross-examination.
The resources were designed with input from stakeholders to promote informed decision-making around special measures and as an aid for police, the legal profession, witness support and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) to use when guiding special measures conversations.
Maria Pultz, Head of Training at LimeCulture, was another stakeholder who provided input on the making of the resources:
“Empowering victims and survivors in the criminal justice process is crucial, and providing accessible resources is a great way to support them to understand what is available for them. Integrating these vital resources into our LimeCulture ISVA training will help to ensure that professionals are well-equipped to provide advice about what options are available to their clients.”
The final version of the video will be screened at an online launch event hosted by the University of Oxford on the 7 November 2024 at 12:45pm. HHJ David Aubrey KC (formerly the Lead Judge for s. 28) will speak at the event and Dr Kyneswood will discuss the process of making the video. Register here for the event.
The full version of the video will be uploaded to the project website and publicly accessible soon after the launch event. The related leaflet is also available to view online or to download from the project website by visiting: https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/which-special-measure-video-and-leaflet.
Dr Kyneswood has also written a policy briefing on s. 28, advised the Ministry of Justice and the Scottish Government on implementing pre-recorded cross-examination, and submitted written evidence to the House of Commons Justice Committee’s Inquiry into the Use of Pre-recorded Cross-examination under Section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.
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