Supporting Victims

Sheila Hollins, Kathryn Stone and Valerie Sinason. Illustrated by Catherine Brighton

Price: £10.00   College members' price: £9.00   Published: Jun 2007   Format: Paperback   Number of pages: 96   ISBN: 9781904671527

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Polly is the victim of an assault. The man she accused is arrested, and she is asked to be a witness at his trial. Polly has learning disabilities.

Supporting Victims shows how the police help her to choose the special measures she needs to give her best evidence in court. All the special measures which are now available to vulnerable people are explained in this book. For Polly, as with many people, the most important thing is that she has a voice and is believed and listened to. Having a policeman, an intermediary, Victim Support and a judge all listen to you shows how powerful your voice can be.

Extra features in text at the back:

• Suggested storyline.
• Explanations of special measures to assist the witness and make them feel more comfortable and help them to give evidence. 
• Description of the Crown Court officials.
• Short Glossary of terms.
• Relevant organizations and literature for further help.
• Guidance on using the book.

"This book would make an excellent resource for someone who has been the victim of a crime and needs to give evidence as a witness.  ...libraries should consider stocking copies."

 - Learning Disability Practice

"This House recognises that vulnerable witnesses and victims of crime find giving evidence to the police and in court difficult and stressful; ...welcomes the publication of Supporting Victims...commends this book for providing a means to support people with learning disabilities, children and other vulnerable victims who have difficulty understanding written words; recognises the good work of the Books Beyond Words series, of which this book is a part, in addressing difficult events in a manner that people with learning and communication difficulties can more easily understand."

- From the Parliamentary Early Day Motion Support for Witnesses and Victims in Court

(An Early Day Motion is a petition-like document distributed round Parliament; over 73 MPs have pledged their support for this issue and this book.)

Authors:

Sheila Hollins is Professor of Psychiatry of Learning Disability at St George’s, University of London; Kathryn Stone is Chief Executive of VOICE UK; Valerie Sinason is Director of the Clinic for Dissociative Studies, London.

Catherine Brighton was trained at St Martin’s School of Art and the Royal College of Art, and has written and illustrated many children’s picture books and other titles in the Books Beyond Words series.