The Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner is working with volunteers who have expressed an interest to be part of the Court Observers Panel which are observing rape and some sexual abuse trials at Newcastle Crown Court.

The development of this panel is a key priority in the regional Police and Crime Commissioners Violence against Women and Girls Strategy, and it aims to increase the understanding between the courts and victims of abuse in the hope of building confidence to report rape and sexual abuse, and unpinning criminal justice processes where necessary.

The role of the panel is to collate and publish their observations of how the cases are tried to see how well the courts are working to improve the trial of sexual offences.  This includes considering whether a victim is provided with appropriate support in court and the use of myths and stereotypes about rape and abuse rather than focusing on facts.

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