3APrinciples in relation to child witnesses

3A Principles in relation to child witnesses

[Section 3A Inserted by No. 63 of 2013, s. 5, Applied:01 Mar 2014]

(1)  It is the intention of Parliament that, as children tend to be vulnerable in dealings with persons in authority, child witnesses be given the benefit of special measures.

(2)  The following principles apply where a child is a witness in any proceeding:

(a) measures are to be taken to limit, to the greatest extent practicable, the distress or trauma suffered (or likely to be suffered) by the child when giving evidence;

(b) the child is to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion;

(c) the child should not be intimidated when giving evidence;

(d) [Section 3A Subsection (2) amended by No. 26 of 2020, s. 5, Applied:01 Mar 2021] prescribed proceedings or specified proceedings in which a child is a witness are to be resolved as quickly as possible.