Researchers say more needs to be done to protect the mental well-being of jurors required to sit through the harrowing evidence presented in some trials.
James Cook University student Rebecca Ward, MBA, co-authored the paper with Professor John Croucher from Macquarie University's Business School. She said jurors were untrained citizens obliged by law to attend court and frequently view material related to crimes such as murder, domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.
"We were concerned about the impact from these kinds of cases, where laypeople can be required to view autopsy photographs, listen to emergency calls and assess disturbing testimonies without any formal training or mandatory psychological support," said Ms Ward.
She said jurors have been shown to experience symptoms such as intrusive memories, sleep disturbance, heightened anxiety and other trauma-related responses following exposure to such cases.
In the UK, researchers found jurors exposed to distressing trial content were almost four times more likely than the general population to meet the threshold for PTSD symptoms.
"In extreme cases, jurors have reported suicidal ideation or long-term psychological distress following service in traumatic trials. What makes it worse is that jurors are legally restricted from disclosing deliberation content to family members or mental health professionals, even when doing so might aid psychological recovery."
Ms Ward said while NSW and Victoria have introduced limited post-trial counselling services, the programmes are entirely reactive and do not provide support during the trial process itself.
"We're calling for the introduction of clearly defined trauma-informed jury procedures. Mandatory psychological briefings, in-trial check-ins, post-trial debriefings, access to counselling and protected therapeutic disclosure are not optional extras; they are structural necessities," said Ms Ward.
"There is a clear need for systemic reform to acknowledge juror well-being as a necessary component of a fair and ethical justice system."
Link to paper here.
