Witness Intermediary Scheme
Witness Intermediary Scheme Pilot: The Final Review
A Final Review of the Witness Intermediary Scheme Pilot is now being conducted. Your views are important to us and we invite you to make a public submission on how the Witness Intermediary Scheme can be improved.
Make Your Submission Witness Intermediary Scheme Pilot: The Final Review
What is the Witness Intermediary Scheme?
The Witness Intermediary Scheme is a statewide pilot program that introduces the use of witness intermediaries to assist children and adults with communication needs better participate in the criminal justice system.
A panel of trained and qualified witness intermediaries are taking part in the pilot.
The pilot was announced in March 2021 and is expected to run for three years before being evaluated.
An evaluation of the pilot's first 12 months revealed a high level of support for WISP among evaluation participants and its positive contribution to the criminal justice process in Tasmania.
What is a witness intermediary?
A witness intermediary is a trained professional with specialist skills in communication.
Witness intermediaries act impartially and assist with communication between vulnerable witnesses and courts, lawyers, and police.
Witness intermediaries taking part in the pilot have professional backgrounds in areas such as psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy and mental health nursing, as well as in working with vulnerable adults and children.
When are witness intermediaries used?
The Witness Intermediary Scheme makes witness intermediaries available to eligible witnesses in matters relating to sexual offences and homicide.
The law that made the pilot program possible — the Evidence (Children and Special Witnesses) Amendment Act 2020 — sets out the scope and procedure for the use of witness intermediaries in Tasmanian courts.
Witness intermediaries are also available to Tasmania Police through the pilot for the purposes of interviewing witnesses during police investigations.
How can I find out more?
If you’re interested in learning more about the Witness Intermediary Scheme pilot, contact the Child Abuse Royal Commission Unit via:
- intermediary@justice.tas.gov.au
- Calling 03 6165 4802.
Useful resources
Seeking help?
We encourage anyone affected by, or with concerns about, child sexual abuse or other types of child abuse to access advice and support.
National:
-
For domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling and support, contact
1800RESPECT:- Phone: 1800 737 732
-
For short-term support if you are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe, contact Lifeline:
- Phone: 13 11 14
-
For free professional phone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide living in Australia, contact Suicide Call Back Service:
- Phone: 1300 659 467
-
For information and support for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention for everyone in Australia, contact Beyond Blue:
- Phone: 1300 224 636
-
For information and support for anyone who is affected by complex trauma, contact
Blue Knot Foundation:- Phone: 1300 657 380
-
For counselling and support for Australian men, contact MensLine Australia:
- Phone: 1300 789 978
-
For advice for men about family violence, contact Men's Referral Service:
- Phone: 1300 766 491
- Phone: 1800 55 1800
Tasmania:
-
For information about child wellbeing and safety, contact
Strong Families, Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line:- Phone: 1800 000 123
-
For free and confidential support for people who have been affected by sexual violence, contact the Tasmanian Sexual Assault Support Line (24 hour response state-wide):
- Phone: 1800 697 877
-
For information and support for children, young people and adults affected by family violence, contact
Family Violence Counselling and Support Service:- Phone: 1800 608 122
-
For free and confidential support for people impacted by crime, contact
Victims of Crime Service:- Phone: 1300 300 238
-
For support for relationships and to live positive lives, contact
Relationships Australia Tasmania:- Phone: 1300 364 277