NSW tries to make child testimony easier
"Children's champions" will sit in on court cases and give suggestions to judges and lawyers in child sexual abuse cases to make giving evidence against their alleged abusers easier for young people.
On Sunday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Attorney-General Mark Speakman announced the state will invest $28 million in the Child Sexual Offence Evidence Program, making permanent a three-year pilot program at the Newcastle and Sydney district courts that aims to make the courtroom experience less stressful for children.
Under the program children are able to pre-record evidence and judges may be asked to take off their wigs or gowns by "children's champions" - independent specialist intermediaries.
