The Subordinate Courts of Singapore - Vulnerable Witness Guidelines

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Vulnerable Witness Guidelines

The programme provides support to vulnerable witnesses who have to testify in public prosecutions in criminal cases.

The programme is an initiative of the Subordinate Courts, working with the Singapore Children's Society ("the Society") in collaboration with the Attorney-General's Chambers and the Singapore Police Force. The service is provided free-of-charge.

Vulnerable Witness

A vulnerable witness is any child or young person below 16 years of age. He or she may be a victim of a crime, or a witness to a crime, who is required to give evidence in court.

A victim or witness who is above 16 years of age, but who has a mental age of under 16 years, may be included in the programme depending on the circumstances of the matter.

A Volunteer Support Officer("the VSP") is a volunteer recruited by the Society. He or she will be assigned to the vulnerable witness by the Society. This Programme is coordinated by the Bukit Merah Centre at

                                               Block 91, Henderson Road,
                                               #01-112, Singapore 150091,
                                               Tel no: 62765077 or
                                               Fax number 62765075.
                                              (http://www.childrensociety.org.sg) .

The Programme

The police officer or investigation officer, or the Prosecutor (either a Police Prosecutor or a Deputy Public Prosecutor of the Attorney-General's Chambers) will identify the appropriate case for the programme.

The victim or witness and/or his or her parent(s) or care giver(s) will be informed of the programme and requested to complete or provide information for the completion of the standard referral form. The referral form will contain information to assist the Society to assign an appropriate VSP who can best address the needs of the child. The form must be signed by a parent or a caregiver before it is forwarded to the Society.

The VSP will initiate contact with the child's parent(s) or caregiver(s), provide information and assist with stress management. A visit to the courts' complex and the courtroom will be arranged by the Case Administrator, who will also provide information on court procedures.

During the hearing, the VSP will accompany the child to court, and be with the child while he or she is waiting to testify. In appropriate cases, the VSP may be permitted to sit behind the child as the child testifies in court.

The VSP will continue providing support to the child until the court proceedings are concluded. The VSP will also prepare the child for the outcome of the court proceedings and, when the outcome is known, continue to provide support to the child and the parent(s) or caregiver(s).

Nature of support will be provided by the VSP

The VSP will provide non-evidentiary practical and emotional preparation and support to the child on an individual basis.

No evidence whatsoever involving or touching on the case or charge(s) shall however, be discussed between the child and the VSP, or the VSP and the parent(s) or caregiver(s).

The VSPs and the Society will not provide professional counselling or therapeutic services, either before or during the trail. This is to avoid any allegation whatsoever of coaching the child or interfering with the evidence. Referrals for counselling or therapeutic services may be made by the Co-ordinator of the Society to the appropriate agencies in suitable cases after the conclusion of the trial.

Please click on Brochure to view Brochure for Vulnerable Witness Support Programme.

Last updated on 08 Jan 2010