UNITED KINGDOM
Messenger
VICTIMS of child sexual abuse will be better supported by the criminal justice system under new guidelines published by the Crown Prosecution Service.
A list of myths concerning victims’ behaviour is included in the guidelines, to prevent the undermining of victim credibility. Prosecutors have been told to focus on evidence.
Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester’s police and crime commissioner, said: “Victims of child sexual abuse have already made a brave step in coming forward and the criminal justice system has a duty to support them through the court process.
“Preconceived assumptions about how a victim is expected to behave have no place in a courtroom and only serve to undermine and humiliate them.”
A joint protocol has also been published by the CPS. They outline expectations for information in child abuse cases to be shared by prosecutors and police with child protection, family courts, schools and social services.
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