- Child Witness Service marks three decades of support for young people
- Dedicated staff safeguard children who give evidence at trials as well as young victim-survivors
- The crucial work of the service to benefit from provisions in theEvidence Act 2025, part of Cook Government's commitment to delivering sensible and effective law reform
Attorney General Dr Tony Buti has heralded stronger protections and supports for child witnesses and young victim-survivors while marking three decades of service by the team that safeguards their welfare.
The Child Witness Service (CWS) works behind the scenes to support young people giving evidence at trials, helping them and their families navigate unfamiliar and often overwhelming court processes by explaining legal procedures and providing vital information.
The CWS was introduced in 1995 following a Law Reform Commission of Western Australia report on the Evidence of Children and Other Vulnerable Witnesses and was quickly identified as an ideal model for establishing child witness support units around the nation.
The service is set to benefit from changes brought about by the recently passed Evidence Act 2025, includinggreater protections for vulnerable victims and witnesses which will become fully operational in the next 12 to 18 months.
The new legislationwill further assist the CWS with its crucial work, including the introduction of witness intermediaries, expanded use of support animals, and improved access to pre-recording of evidence.
It comes as the Child Witness Service has experienced an increase in referrals to 1,449 across WA over the past 12 months.
The Perth team provided more than 16,000 client sessions - including more than 6,500 in regional WA - through the Children's, Magistrates, District, and Supreme courts over the past year alone, for a range of serious criminal matters.
CWS team members work closely with children, offering compassionate one-on-one support to those who have often endured trauma or victimisation, helping them to feel safe and preparing them to give their testimony accurately.
In addition to supporting children, the CWS helps to keep the court process operating smoothly. Team members carefully assess each young person's risks and needs, develop safety plans, and connect children and families to other essential services such as counselling.
As stated by Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:
"For three decades, the Child Witness Service has been working quietly and compassionately in the background, contributing to a fairer and more humane criminal justice system.
"This critical court service not only ensures that trials run smoothly but also safeguards children who take on the very important responsibility of giving evidence.
"I congratulate the team on 30 years' service and it's my privilege to further support their work - and vulnerable young victim-survivors - with advancements through the Evidence Act 2025.
"This new Act will provide for the introduction of witness intermediaries and a suite of measures to make the court environment less intimidating for children."
