Attending court...

[stressed out]

If someone were assaulted, identified the assailant and it went to court is there a way the victim does not have to attend court if they fear for their safety, ie; the assailant seeing who identified him/her and find the victim at a later date and place and harming them? Is there any way they can be protected? Thanks

[Ethel]

Doubtful - even witnesses against very brutal people,known gangsters, give evidence in court.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/959518.stm

Speak to the police and victim support about your worries.

[KiDRaScaL]

yeah, their identity would be hidden even if they were giving evidence in court against them eg behind a curtain so they are hidden from the defendent, this was the case when i attended a hearing at the Old Bailey.

[joko]

yes, speak to the witness liaison people, and tell them your fears, they will arrange for you to be hidden or by video link up or similar.

there is a link in a question i asked on the main law topic, about witnesses, and whther i have to attend court - have a look at that

[Law Man1856]

You need to contact the witness care unit and tell them of your fears. They will notify CPS on your behalf, and apply for special measures on your behalf, Special measures are normally a Screen or TV link.
Did you make a Victim Personal Statement? This is seperate to the statement of complaint. A Victim Personal Statement, (VPS), allows you tell the CPS and the court how the crime has affected you and the way you go about your daily life differently, if necessary. In this you can also state that your are scared of going to court and give your reasons why. If you do not want to make a VPS, then you may be asked to make a Special Measures statement to assist the application. In extreme cases, there is a fairly new law to assist victims like yourself, Section 114, where hearsay evidence can be given. This is only granted by the court in extreme cases, so don't hold your breath in this being applied in your case.
The witness care unit will contact the witness service at court, (WSAC). They can ensure that you have a seperate entrance at court, look after you whilst you are at court, put you in a witness care room until it is your time to give evidence, by the means agreed, The WSAC can also arrange for you to have a pre-trial visit. This may help you because they show you around the courts and what you can expect. The person who does this, will normally be the person that will stay with you on day of your attendance.

Crucially, dont forget that you can take someone to court with you for moral support.