New sexual offences court enables successful prosecution of rape cases

Mar 05, 2018 News

The victim-friendly features of the recently installed Sexual Offences Court is aiding with the successful prosecution of rape cases.
The Sexual Offences Court is equipped with audio-visual devices to aid the testimony of witnesses. There are two screens in the courtroom that provide the complainants with a more suitable setting to face their alleged perpetrators.
Since the specialised court came into operation four months ago, more than eight trials have been disposed of and at least six persons have been convicted for sexual offence crimes.
Prior to the establishment of the court, a notable number of sexual offences matters were nolle- prosequi, often because of complainants’ unwillingness to testify before the High Court.
Due to the sensitive nature of such cases, sexual assault victims are often terrified of reporting their experiences to the police.
Then, after the matters are investigated, then persons are charged. The case usually moves at a slow pace through the court system.
And when the matters do reach the court, victims may decline to continue with the matter due to the time it takes and how traumatising the experience can be.

Chief Justice,(Ag) Roxane George

The courtroom is equipped with two screens, which help to provide the complainants with a more suitable setting to face their alleged perpetrators

However, with the purpose-built facility in operation, jurists have reported that more sexual assault victims are finding the courage to seek justice via the courts.
During the proceedings, judges are required to take the evidence manually but there is a built in recording system operating in the court as well.
At the opening of the court in November, Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonnette Cummings-Edwards highlighted the need for victims and witnesses of sexual offences require specialist treatment.
She said with that in mind, the idea of a specialist court, dealing with everyone involved, was birthed.
The Chancellor noted that if the process is not handled carefully, it can pose secondary trauma to the victims.
In an interview with the Department of Public Information, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire revealed recently that the operation of the court was moving ahead smoothly. Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall currently presides over the Sexual Offences Court.
“We think the court is working fairly well, we are going to do an analysis of the stats of the court in the coming weeks to have a formal assessment of how it is working, but from all reports, it is going fairly smoothly,” Justice George stated.
The average length of a trial is four days. The longest so far has been eight days and the shortest three days, the Chief Justice said.
The Sexual Offences court is housed in Court Six of the Supreme Court and represents the commitment of the judiciary to be responsive to the concerns raised in society about the conduct of trials of sexual offences cases.
The court has a panel of eminent judges including Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, Justice Joanne Barlow, Justice Navindra Singh, Justice James Bovell-Drakes and Justice Brassington Reynolds whose functions are rotated.
In the future, it is expected that the service of the Sexual Offences Court will be implemented in Berbice and Essequibo.
The judge explained that the judiciary is also looking at training for the persons involved in dealing with the sexual offences matters. Training will be provided by two Trinidad and Tobago specialists in sexual abuse and psychologist and with years of experience trying sexual abuse matters.