Vulnerable witness facilities not being used
Claim that rape and abuse victims not getting to use special studios to give evidence
Studios specially built to allow rape victims to give evidence to the courts remotely have been used little if at all, according to today's Scotsman.
The paper reports that studios in the Burnbank Family Centre in Hamilton, which are soundproofed and fitted with hidden cameras and microphones, have never been used for this purpose. In Edinburgh, the opening of a similar facility was delayed by two years and is yet to be used by witnesses. A site in Aberdeen has only been used twice since opening in April 2005 and was beset with technical problems each time.
The Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004, permitted the use of various methods for giving evidence, particularly by children and other people who had been abused.
Support groups claim that witnesses are not being informed of their rights, but a spokesman for the Scottish Government said it was not aware of any request for a link facility not being met.
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