The Child Witness Project

The Child Witness Project ensures that children waiting to testify are kept entertained and are supervised, that they can rest, eat and play. It ensures that, before they testify, they have prepared for the environment and the process, and that they are supported through it. The service is delivered by trained lay Court Supporters at each court and in the home language of the child if at all possible. The Court Supporters are remunerated per shift, and receive supervision and in-service training from RAPCAN staff. Before joining the court team, they undergo a thorough selection process, and 70 hours of training. The course is examinable, and RAPCAN are in the process of seeking accreditation for it.

Innovation

As vulnerable witnesses, children are entitled to use the services of an intermediary. A shortage of trained intermediaries resulted in cases being postponed repeatedly.  A collaboration, in terms of recruitment and training between RAPCAN and Social Services, has resulted in this being addressed at all the courts in which RAPCAN works.  The Child Witness Project also provides an ongoing and unique opportunity to work with court personnel around sensitising them and educating them about the consequences of abused children, their response to abuse, and about dealing with these in the court room. Setting up a Child Witness Project at a new court involves negotiating for space in already-crowded court buildings, and then setting high standards for the quality of that space – from decor to the quality of food and entertainment provided.

Effectiveness

The Child Witness Project was started at the Wynberg Sexual Offences Court in August 2001. In 2002 it opened at the Khayelitsha SOC and in 2003 extended its services to Parow, Cape Town and Atlantis SOC’s. The program has been welcomed by the relevant state departments, which also work closely with RAPCAN.

Poverty Impact

The program has no direct effect on poverty. However, many of children who come to court are from poor families. Children arrive hungry, tired and inadequately dressed, especially in winter. They are given warm, clean clothes if possible, and fed. There is also a bed for them to rest on.

Sustainability

Current funding comes from RAPCAN’s organisational core cost budget. For 2003, the budget for RAPCAN is R2,8 million. The major funders are Cordaid, the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, Save the Children (Sweden), terre des hommes, and Brot fur die Welt. The total cost of implementing the Child Witness Project in the 5 courts is R65,725. This totals an average of R15,000 per court.  Long-term funding prospects are good due to fewer children going to court prepared, and in a mindset conducive to being a good witness, is a relatively easy concept to “sell”.  Negotiations are underway with the Dept. of Community Safety about a long-term partnership to assist financially with the delivery of these services, which should be the responsibility of the government. The project is expensive to implement because of the high standards set for both the physical environment, and the emotional and practical support being offered.

Replication

The model is flexible with the high standards set, and brings together all role-players to commit to the best interests of the children. Given the scope of child abuse in South Africa, there is clearly a need for a project which both supports children and increases the likelihood of a conviction.

Partnerships

• National Dept of Justice
• Western Cape Dept of Social Development & Health
• Rape Crisis Cape Town
• United Sanctuary Against Abuse
• NONCEBA
• Pick ‘n Pay
• Lions Club