A new centre aimed at protecting vulnerable victims and witnesses from the trauma of facing defendants in court has officially opened in Craigavon.
The standalone Remote Evidence Centre (REC), located away from the courthouse, allows eligible adult and child witnesses to give their evidence via videolink in a safe, controlled environment rather than in a traditional courtroom.
Opening the facility, Justice Minister Naomi Long said many witnesses found the prospect of giving evidence in court “extremely distressing”.
“RECs provide a safe, supportive alternative that can reduce anxiety while enabling full participation in proceedings and upholding the integrity of the justice process,” she said.
The Craigavon centre will support victims and witnesses who are entitled to special measures, including those in serious sexual offence cases, and is designed so they will not risk coming face-to-face with the accused.
Remote Evidence Centres were a key recommendation in Sir John Gillen’s 2019 review into the law and procedures in serious sexual offences in Northern Ireland.
The Department of Justice has now established RECs in Belfast and Craigavon, alongside the existing NSPCC-led facility in Derry/Londonderry.
The Minister said demand for the current centres was rising, with more than 600 vulnerable or intimidated witnesses attending a REC last year.
“Conviction rates for REC cases have been consistently around 90%, with many by guilty plea at the beginning of the trial, meaning the witness is not required to give oral evidence,” she added.
“I believe that when we give vulnerable victims and witnesses a choice about how they participate in the justice system, such as where they give their evidence or how they receive information, they feel safer, more respected, and better able to give their best evidence.
“This improves their overall experience, supports recovery, and strengthens confidence in the justice system as one that is responsive, compassionate and centred on individual needs.
“The success of RECs relies on strong partnership. I am therefore indebted to the PSNI, court staff and those dedicated individuals from Victim Support NI and the NSPCC Young Witness Service who do so much to ensure REC cases run smoothly.
“The RECs are a perfect example of how we work together for fairness, justice and safety.”
As with the Belfast centre, the Craigavon REC will be supported on-site by Victim Support NI and the NSPCC Young Witness Service.
Jenni Boyce from the NSPCC Young Witness Service said: “We have seen first-hand the difference the RECs have on young victims.
“There is a sense of relief when victims know they will not have to risk seeing the defendant in court and environments that help reduce fear and distress are so important for child victims. We look forward to further roll out of the evidence centres in Northern Ireland.”
Janice Bunting MBE, chief executive of Victim Support NI, said the opening of the Craigavon centre showed “the government’s continued commitment to modernising the criminal justice system and extending this important service across Northern Ireland”.
“Since the launch of the first REC in Belfast in 2023, our surveys have consistently shown that this new resource has made vulnerable victims and witnesses feel safer, be safer and more confident delivering their evidence,” she said.
“This has made their overall experience of the criminal justice system more positive, regardless of the case outcome.”
Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron said attending a court building could be “extremely stressful and frightening” for many.
“For some, the experience can be so overwhelming that they feel unable to take part in the criminal justice process,” he said.
“The simple fact is that RECs enable more victims and witnesses to give their best evidence and that is essential to successfully prosecuting and convicting offenders.
“This new centre is a welcoming and safe space, which I believe will help more people feel able to provide evidence during trials. It is a key step towards rolling out changes to all court areas.”
