More protection for child witnesses by www.adoption-net.co.uk staff

People charged with rape or other sex offences will no longer be able to question directly victims in court from next month.

The changes result from the implementation of the 1999 Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act on September 4.

The Home Office has announced that there will also be more protection for child witnesses in kidnapping, false imprisonment and child abduction cases.

Home Office Minister Charles Clarke said: "The Government is committed to providing better protection for victims and witnesses.

"Banning unrepresented defendants from questioning victims in court in rape and sexual offence cases will, I hope, go some way to lessening the ordeal for those who have had the courage to bring their case.

"This is one of a series of measures the Government is taking to bolster confidence in the criminal justice system so that more victims of crimes such as rape, will be willing to come forward and report it to the police.

"The extension of the protection for child victims and witnesses is also a very important measure. We must do everything possible to enable child victims and witnesses to give their evidence and be free from intimidation."

Defendants will need to appoint a lawyer to conduct the cross-examination, and, if they do not, the Act allows the court to appoint one.

There is already a ban on unrepresented defendants questioning child victims and witnesses in court in rape, sexual offence and violent offence trials. This will be extended to kidnapping, false imprisonment and child abduction cases.

There will also be more restrictions on questioning a rape victim about their sexual history.

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