Children and vulnerable witnesses often must wait for many hours inside a court building on the day they are scheduled to give evidence, until they are called to testify. This is the moment they’ve been preparing for since their legal journey began; the day they’ve been anxious about since the initial arrest was made.

Waiting to give evidence isn’t much fun at the best of times; waiting inside a sterile room can make it even more depressing and scary, and does nothing to lift spirits or keep young anxious minds distracted and entertained.

In many courts across Queensland, PACT has helped establish vulnerable witness rooms where children and their families can feel comfortable and safe while waiting to give evidence. These rooms are private spaces designed to shield child witnesses from the defendant and their supporters on the day of court. In metropolitan areas like Brisbane, these waiting rooms are well furnished, but in most of the remote courts, the witness waiting facilities are much sparser, if available at all.

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” ― Marie Curie

Knowledge is power! One of PACT’s key support strategies is education and information to empower witnesses by helping them understand the legal system and what they can expect going through it. By explaining what is likely to happen, who the witness will meet during the court process and where they will go to give evidence, we reduce their fear of the unknown and lighten their burden of anxiety.

PACT has produced a range of in-depth materials and booklets on the role of a witness and how we provide support throughout the court process. These resources break down the complex legal system in a way specific audiences (young children and their carers/parents) can understand.

We may be a little biased, but we feel that PACT volunteers are extra-level incredible! Ours is no ordinary volunteering gig; PACT volunteers perform next-level duties in the service of PACT, comforting, supporting and empowering children and young people who have experienced the most horrendous crimes. They take families under their wing who are in extreme stages of stress; relieving some of their fear by explaining the legal system in a way they can understand and showing them they are not alone through the journey.

Giving back to volunteers who give so much of themselves is high on our priority list. This includes extra skills training for volunteers and planning events that build a sense of community and foster peer support, which helps when coping with the vicarious trauma they are exposed to regularly when supporting victims through the justice system.

PACT is exploring a partnership with Guide Dogs Queensland to run a pilot program using dogs to support children giving evidence.

Our hope – based on results from other court dog programs established nationally and internationally – is that having a Child Witness Support Dog present for children giving evidence will help to make the path just a bit easier for those forced to relive some of the most horrific experiences of their life, especially for child victims of sexual assault.

Most people can identify with the positive feelings associated with having a loveable dog keeping them company. This is the sense of calm and reassurance we hope children will feel having a dog by their side as they give pre-recorded evidence in the Brisbane District and Supreme Courts.

A university researcher will evaluate the success of this pilot and publish the benefits of using dogs for child witness support. If the pilot goes well, we hope to expand this program – which is the first of its kind in Queensland – into other courts so more child witnesses can access the incredible benefits of having a support dog.

While traditionally our focus has been supporting children under the age of 18, there has been an increasing demand for court support for adult victims – particularly those in rural areas who have been affected by domestic or sexual violence.

For many adults, especially those in vulnerable situations who have suffered trauma, navigating the justice system and ultimately having to go to court to give evidence can be incredibly distressing and confusing.

We know the need for better support exists for many vulnerable victims throughout the nation, especially for children who have to give evidence in the criminal justice system about alleged crimes that were done to them or which they witnessed. Through no fault of their own they are caught up in the stressful court process and forced to give evidence, a process which can take months and often years.

PACT is looking to fulfill these needs and reach those who currently do not have access to the same level of support our volunteers provide to child victims and vulnerable witnesses of any age in Queensland. The sky is truly the limit – what we can achieve for children, young people and families seeking justice, by supporting them throughout what may be the most stressful time in their lives, is life-changing.