Sussex Young Witness
Service
Social
Services
Police
YWS
Witness Service
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• Provides support at every
Crown and Magistrate’s
Court in Sussex
• The YWS works closely
with the Police, CPS,
Courts and Children’s
Services
• The YWS Service sits
under the umbrella of
Victim Support and the
Witness Service but is
currently independently
funded
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YWS Yearly Statistics
YWS 2012 = 297
Rape/Serious Sexual Assault
Assault
GBH
90
138
11
Rape/Serious Sexual Assault
111
Assault
101
GBH
2
Public Order
6
Public Order
Murder/Manslaughter
9
Murder
4
Exposure
4
Exposure
3
False Imprisonment
2
False Imprisonment
3
Robbery
9
Robbery
4
YWS 2013 = 285 (Jan-Sept)
16
17
Harrassment
4
Harassment
1
Theft
7
Theft
8
Burglary
3
Burglary
2
Possession of a firearm
3
Child Abduction
5
Driving without due care and attention
2
Child Neglect/Cruelty
2
Perverting the course of justice
1
Witness Intimidation
2
Supplying a class C drug
1
Criminal Damage
7
Other
6
Breach of ASBO
2
Stages of support – 5 Step
•
•
•
•
•
5
The assessment visit – (initial contact)

The preparation session(s)

Pre trial familiarisation visit to court

Support on the day of the court attendance

Post trial support
process
Service Delivery
ABE viewing
Initial contact made
between YWS manager
and parent/carer
Preparation sessions, focused
specifically on the child’s needs
Volunteer assessment visit with
the victim at a location of their
choice. Home/School etc.
Referral received
from CJU
Support on the day
of trial – Crown
Court cases can be
up to 3 days
Pre-trial visit
On going post trial
support - CICA
Hours of Support provided
0
1/2hr
1hr (x5)
2.5hrs
1hr
45mins
6-18hrs
1.5hrs
= 12-24hrs Total X 300 children = 3,600-7,200 hours of support per annum
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Funding
MoJ Victims and Witness Fund - application for 3 years funding - successful
award made March 2011
•
•
•
£35k funding - year one
£40k funding - year two
£45k funding - year three
Funding ends 31st March 2014
Future funding for services that sit under the umbrella of VS will be split
from October 2014.
The WS will be nationally commissioned with the potential for an element of
services to young people.
Funding for April 2014 to September 2014 is unsecured.
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Service users Feedback
Jessica 7 years old “When I first found out I needed to go to court I felt
really scared but then Brigid made me feel comfortable”
Nicola 17 years old “ It cannot change the ordeal it just made it more
bearable”
“Linda’s support to the whole family was invaluable. She supported us all
from the start and right to the bitter end”
Sophie 10 years old “Marion explained things to me very clearly and I was
able to understand what was happening and why. She was very helpful and
answered all my questions”
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Contact Details
Young Witness Service Sussex
Service Delivery Manager – Clare Godfrey
Office: 01273 474120
Mobile: 07507 487 642
Email: clare.godfrey@victimsupport.org.uk
Senior Service Delivery Manager
Frances Amos
Office: 01273 456161
Mobile: 07903 318 816
Email: Frances.amos@victimsupport.org.uk
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