What should the police know before my child goes to court?

In some cases it may help the child if the police/child witness supporter is aware of:

• the child’s worries and fears;
• how the child would prefer to give evidence and whether a ‘supporter’ should be with the child when doing so;
• if the child is softly spoken or has any difficulties with speech, hearing or eyesight;
• if the child has special needs;
• if the child is on regular medication, the trial may need to be stopped so that he or she can take the medicine;
• the length of the child’s attention span;
• if there are any special words that would be unknown to others (i.e. special words for body parts);
• if there are any particular dates to avoid for reasons such as school exams, holidays, religious holidays etc.

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