Greater use will be made of video links

The steps include allowing a friend or supporter to sit beside the witness.

There will also be a greater use of video links and wooden screens to protect vulnerable witnesses from direct eye contact with the accused.

Doing more to help the victims of crime was one of Labour's big promises during the election campaign.

The Vulnerable Witnesses Bill will give added protection to under-16s, women in rape cases, people suffering from mental disorders and those living in fear or intimidation.

Ms Jamieson said people who feel intimidated by courts would still be able to "tell their story" but the new measures would make the experience less traumatic.

The prospect of giving evidence in a court setting can often make upsetting circumstances even more traumatic Cathy Jamieson Justice Minister

She said: "Children called as witnesses sometimes want an opportunity to have their say - to have their day in court and tell their story.

"It is right that they continue to have that option.

"But, similarly, the prospect of giving evidence in a court setting can often make upsetting circumstances even more traumatic.

"This bill will enable vulnerable witnesses to receive better assistance and protection while in court."

Ms Jamieson indicated the proposals may require extra funding and that discussions had begun with the Crown Office.

There is little political opposition to the new measures, which are expected to become law next year.

The proposals mirror a series of steps mooted by former Justice Minister Jim Wallace during the last parliamentary session.

'Long overdue'

Scottish National Party (SNP) justice spokeswoman Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the introduction of the bill.

She said: "This will work towards protecting children and allow vulnerable people to give evidence without necessarily having to face the accused in court.

"These measures are long overdue and I am pleased that the Scottish Executive is giving higher priority to victims of crime."

We think the bill does not go far enough Child Witness Reform Group

A child welfare group welcomed the bill as "a first step" but warned that the new law would only work if all people involved in the process received training.

The Child Witness Reform Group said: "We think the bill does not go far enough, and we believe amendments are necessary on issues such as defining a child as someone under 18, and that a child witness is therefore a person under the age of 18 on the date the crime was committed."

It urged Holyrood's justice committee to get clarification, during its scrutiny of the bill, on the meaning of some sections, like the section dealing with "supporters".

Expert witnesses

Gerry Brown, of the Law Society of Scotland, said that for the system to work the process of calling expert witnesses has to be upgraded.

"You have to have these people available and you have to put it into a framework," said Mr Brown.

"One suggestion might be that if the Crown are leading witnesses they think are vulnerable, they produce, when leading these witnesses, expert evidence which can either be accepted or challenged by the defence."

The parliament's Justice 2 Committee later agreed to write to a range of organisations over the summer recess asking for written evidence on the bill.

They included Victim Support Scotland, the Scottish Child Law Centre, Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre and the Crown Office.