Volunteers ease trauma for court witnesses
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In Newcastle, New South Wales, Jennifer, a 72-year-old retired speech therapist, volunteers with Victims and Witnesses of Crime Court Support (VWCCS) to help people navigate the stressful experience of court appearances.
Jennifer and other VWCCS volunteers provide emotional support and practical guidance to witnesses and victims, often those involved in traumatic cases like sexual assault and domestic violence.
She met a young woman testifying in a sexual assault trial who was deeply distressed by seeing the defendant, and Jennifer helped her find a more comfortable space and explained courtroom procedures. VWCCS, established 20 years ago, now operates with over 120 volunteers in several New South Wales courts. A similar organisation, Court Network, supports around 78,000 court users yearly in Victoria.
The volunteers receive extensive training, including court observation and sessions with legal professionals, but are not counsellors or legal advisors. The organisation’s founder envisioned a team of trained volunteers to ease the difficult experience of testifying. VWCCS prioritises volunteer wellbeing, offering access to counselling to process the often-harrowing experiences they witness.
The service supplements the work of government-funded Witness Assistance Services, and the NSW Victims of Crime commissioner praised the volunteers’ compassion for lessening the burden on people using the justice system.
