Courthouses across the State have been upgraded to provide safe spaces and modern facilities for use by domestic and sexual violence survivors and vulnerable witnesses
Welcoming the upgrades at 45 courthouses, Attorney General Mark Speakman said the works delivered new or upgraded safe rooms and remote witness rooms in metropolitan and regional courthouses.
Mr Speakman said safe rooms gave vulnerable witnesses private and secure areas within courthouses to prepare for court, while remote witness rooms were linked to the main court room via audio visual link.
“They allow vulnerable witnesses to provide their testimony without having to face perpetrator and/or their supporters in the court room,” Mr Speakman said.
“Retraumatising a complainant does not advance justice,” he said.
“Courts are best assisted to hear and determine matters where witnesses and complainants are supported to present their best evidence, in the interests of the administration of justice.
“These new and upgraded facilities give vulnerable witnesses the private, secure areas they need to prepare for court and to provide evidence.”
Mr Speakman said that under the State’s domestic violence reforms, complainants in domestic violence criminal proceedings and related proceedings had the right to give evidence remotely via audio visual link and in a closed court.
He said the protections sought to minimise the stress and trauma of giving evidence in court for those witnesses, and empower them to engage with the justice process to deliver their evidence.
“Cross-examination is an important part of the justice process because it safeguards convictions for crimes of sexual and domestic violence by ensuring a fair trial,” the Attorney General said.
