Support for witnesses and victims of crime

These are some of the support services available for witnesses.

Preparing a witness statement

If you need to write a witness statement, LawAccess by Legal Aid NSW has instructions for preparing witness statements and samples of completed statements.

Victims Services

Victims Services can help victims of a violent crime to access counselling, financial support and a recognition payment.

For further information, visit the Victims Services website.

The Charter of Victims Rights sets out how victims are to be treated in NSW.

You can read the full Charter and find further information on the Victims Services website.

Witness Assistance Service

Witness Assistance Service (WAS) is a New South Wales service for witnesses and victims of crime appearing in Court cases prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

WAS provides information about:

• What to expect at Court
• Your rights and entitlements, such as victims’ compensation
• The stage your case is at in the Court system
• Other services and supports that are available to you

Remote Witness Facilities

Remote Witness Facilities (RWF) uses a form of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) to allow witnesses to give evidence from a location outside the Courtroom. The witness can see, hear and participate in the Court proceedings, but does not sit in the Courtroom. The use of RWF can assist victims of crime and vulnerable persons feel safer when giving evidence as they are not in the Courtroom with the offender. Remote witness facilities allow vulnerable witnesses, such as children or victims of sexual assault and/or domestic and family violence, to give evidence from a room that is separate from the Courtroom.

Anyone who has concerns about giving evidence in a Courtroom should speak to the prosecutor or their lawyer about making a request to use remote witness facilities.