For most people, giving evidence in court can be both a frightening and intimidating experience. When the victim of a serious crime is a person with a learning disability, the stress and anxiety caused by appearing in the witness stand can be almost unbearable.
Mills Media’s latest production is entitled ‘Witness Support, Preparation and Profiling’. Created for the Merseyside Criminal Justice Board (MCJB), the 22 minute DVD is an integral part of a new training package designed by Liverpool City Council’s Investigations Support Unit.
The aim of the DVD is to encourage current social workers across England and Wales to develop their existing skills and therefore be able to provide vital support to vulnerable witnesses involved in criminal cases.
The programme features a series of interviews with senior social workers, legal professionals, police officers, a parent carer and a vulnerable witness who appeared at four trials involving serious sexual abuse.
This is a compelling programme that brings to light the changing face of the legal system so that justice is fair for every member of society. Without this level of social worker support, many cases involving people with serious learning disabilities simply could not be prosecuted.
The programme was launched at the MCJB Conference ‘Stronger Communities’. Mills Media provided all set, AV and seminar facilities for the event held at Liverpool’s Crowne Plaza Hotel.
