AQW 6578/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 15/02/2024
Answered On Date: 21/02/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice to detail any plans she has to introduce pre-recorded evidence gathering from victims, to prevent repeated questioning and re-traumatisation.

Answer:

My Department is leading multi-agency preparatory work to support a pilot project to test pre-recorded cross-examination in serious sexual offence cases involving very young complainants. There are interdependencies with other child focused workstreams and work is ongoing to resolve outstanding issues, however, significant progress has been made. Launch of the pathfinder project will be subject to the agreement of partner organisations and to securing funding.