Scheme to aid victims
Sep 28 2007 by Jule Wilson, The Journal
A TEAM of 15 students is to be given special training to help support the victims of domestic violence.
And for the first time, their institution will be able to offer them academic credit for their involvement in the cause as part of a pilot scheme.
The Newcastle University law students – Leith Al-Ali, Prescott Adderley, Amy Borthwick, Charlotte Baetul, Michael Duffell, Steven Doherty, Laura Green, Craig Laverick, Nick Libell, Amanda Narkiewicz, Imogen Revell, Oliver Saxon, Lucy Sherwood, Chris Tarrant and Kate Tyers, all aged between 20 and 22, are all working towards Bachelor degrees in the university’s law school, as well as taking part in training to become McKenzie’s Friends, so-called after a momentous legal ruling which allowed victims of domestic abuse to have legal help in court from people who had not yet qualified in law.
Although not entitled to address the court, a McKenzie's Friend can sit alongside the victim in court, offering moral support and advice by passing notes or whispered messages, and although they are usually voluntary, these students will write up their experiences as part of a research module connected with their course, and therefore gain credit towards their final degrees in law.
The group is due to undergo a two-day intensive training course, led by Steve Connor, of the National Centre for Domestic Violence, which will involve Northumbria Police officers, a district judge and role-play actors. They will learn different skills including proper client handling, appropriate interview technique and court processes. Once fully trained, the students will be able to help people like Gillian, which is not her real name, who is now 28 and endured four years of abuse at the hands of her fiance before seeking help.
She had a McKenzie’s Friend at each of her court hearings against her former partner and said: “I would wholeheartedly recommend McKenzie's Friends to anyone in my situation. They help you prepare for the court hearing, but they also provide a lot of support afterwards. They stay in contact with you to make sure you are OK, and mine even sent me a text message at 11.30pm one evening to tell me the papers had been served on my ex-partner.”
Ashley Wilton, head of the university’s law school, said: “The scheme will make a real difference to the lives of some of our region’s most vulnerable people, who we are committed to engaging with as members of our wider community.
“The scheme also provides an unparalleled opportunity for students to gain valuable experience in interacting with the police and the judiciary, and acting as McKenzie's Friends will enable students to learn from real-life situations, which will in turn help them mature as individuals, and improve their overall employability.”
Detective Chief Inspector Max Black, head of the public protection unit in Northumbria Police, said: “We are committed to tackling domestic abuse and working with partners, including universities in order to ensure that support is given to victims and offenders are brought to justice.”
