Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the law in supporting victims in court.

Going to court can be a daunting experience, that is why the Victims Strategy sets out how we will better support victims during the court process, such as improving the information available for victims attending court and making the court environment more victim friendly.

MoJ grant funds the court-based Witness Service to ensure that witnesses, some of whom are victims, can access timely, high quality emotional and practical support to help them feel more confident and informed so they can give their best evidence in criminal courts. Over 2019/20 and 2020/21, we will provide total funding of up to £22.4m to Citizens Advice for delivery of the Service. The Service provides pre-trial and on-the-day support, as well as an enhanced service for vulnerable and intimidated victims and witnesses tailored according to need.

There are also a range of special measures available to assist vulnerable and intimidated witnesses (including vulnerable and intimidated victims) to give their best evidence in criminal proceedings. The measures available include the power for a court to order arrangements for live video links, video recorded evidence-in-chief, and screens around the witness box.