UNICEF NZ welcomes ‘Child Witnesses’ report

Wellington, 22 April 2010. – The UN Children’s Fund in NZ welcomes the release today of the research report “Child Witnesses in the New Zealand Criminal Courts: A review of practice and implications for policy”.

UNICEF NZ Executive Director, Dennis McKinlay, hopes that the report will lead to changes in the way child witnesses are treated by the criminal system.

“The best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in any action concerning children and specifically in courts of law and with administrative authorities.”

The report shows that some child witnesses were inappropriately questioned by defence lawyers, subjected to humiliation, and some became distraught and were left in a state of trauma.

“Respect and concern for children in such a situation must be of the highest regard,” says Mr McKinlay.

The Report, authored by Dr. Emma Davies and Dr Kirsten Hanna of the Institute of Public Policy at the Auckland University of Technology involved trials where children were witnesses in District Courts at Auckland, Manukau, Wellington and Christchurch, and in the High Courts at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch during 2008-2009.

The Report is concerned that children’s memory and ability to provide good-quality evidence in the criminal courts can be seriously undermined by lengthy delays between their initial complaint and testifying at court, particularly if they are asked questions that they do not understand and if the act of testifying is unnecessarily stressful.

Mr McKinlay believes that the Minister of Justice needs to give serious consideration to the report and ensure that children’s interests are properly attended to.

ENDS

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