Child witnesses are routinely intimidated

The NSPCC and Victim Support say young witnesses are shouted at by lawyers and baffled by legal jargon.

They also have to wait, on average, a year before the case goes to court.

The NSPCC launches a �3.2m Caring for Children in Court Appeal on Monday - fronted by Noel Edmonds - to raise funds for witness support programmes.

'Failing children'

Mr Edmonds, who is chairman of the campaign, said: "It cannot be right in a modern society that children who have suffered so much are treated in this way.

The defence wasn't nice. He was horrible. He said I was a liar. No one warned me beforehand that he'd say that. Child witness

"We are failing our children if courts don't make the best possible attempts to hear their evidence."

The new research focused on 50 young people aged between seven and 17 who gave evidence in court - most in sexual offence cases.

It suggests children and young people are routinely intimidated and break down in tears, with some saying appearing as a witness is as traumatic as the abuse they have suffered.

Half of the children asked said they did not understand words or phrases used while nearly half said they were accused of lying and more than half were very upset or distressed.

'He was horrible'

One child said: "The defence wasn't nice. He was horrible. He said I was a liar. No one warned me beforehand that he'd say that. I don't feel I got to say everything I wanted to."

A parent of a 14-year-old witness said they went to court thinking it was about the truth when in fact it was about skills, money and technique.

The NSPCC wants more pre-trial support for youngsters, lawyers and judges to ensure children understand what they are saying, as well as an end to aggressive questioning and monitoring of delays.

NSPCC lawyer Barbara Esam said: "Suffering child abuse and then having to speak publicly about the experience is an ordeal for a young witness.

"The NSPCC believes all children must receive pre-trial support to reduce their trauma and help them give the best possible evidence."