Trial witness: 'Giving evidence worse than sex abuse'

A woman who gave evidence in a court case where her attacker was charged with rape and sexual assault, has told 5 live that her experience at trial was, "more traumatic" than the original abuse.

It comes as the Crown Prosecution Service is due to start a new pilot to give witnesses more information about the trial process, to help them prepare for the experience.

The measures include ensuring that prosecutors meet the witness and discuss how the defence might handle the case.

The woman told 5 live that the opening line from the defence barrister was "Shall I address you as a victim or mistress?". At the time of the abuse, she was aged 12.

She said that, while she has found ways of coping with the original abuse, she now worries almost daily about whether she gave the right evidence and how she performed in the stand.

She said that she felt "isolated" by the experience, and "had no idea how traumatic the trial would be".

This clip is originally from 5 live Daily on Wednesday 7 October 2015