The new remote evidence centre (REC) in Craigavon will complement and enhance the services already available to assist and support vulnerable and intimidated adult and child witnesses to engage fully with the justice system.

Formally opening the facility last week, justice minister Naomi Long said: “For many witnesses, the prospect of giving evidence in a courtroom can be extremely distressing.

“RECs provide a safe, supportive alternative that can reduce anxiety while enabling full participation in proceedings and upholding the integrity of the justice process.”

The new REC in Craigavon – a standalone facility which is located away from the courthouse – offers victims and witnesses who are entitled to special measures to give evidence via video link.

RECs are intended to reduce the trauma that vulnerable witnesses can feel about participating in the criminal justice process. They were a key recommendation in Sir John Gillen’s 2019 report into the law and procedures in serious sexual offences in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Justice has established RECs in Belfast and Craigavon, in addition to the existing NSPCC-led facility in Londonderry.

Mrs Long continued: “Demand for our existing RECs is increasing, with over 600 vulnerable or intimidated witnesses attending a REC last year.

“Conviction rates for REC cases have been consistently around 90 per cent, with many by guilty plea at the beginning of the trial, meaning the witness is not required to give oral evidence.

“I believe that when we give vulnerable victims and witnesses a choice about how they participate in the justice system, such as where they give their evidence or how they receive information, they feel safer, more respected, and better able to give their best evidence.

“This improves their overall experience, supports recovery, and strengthens confidence in the justice system as one that is responsive, compassionate and centred on individual needs.

“The success of RECs relies on strong partnership. I am therefore indebted to the PSNI, PPS, court staff and those dedicated individuals from Victim Support NI and the NSPCC Young Witness Service who do so much to ensure REC cases run smoothly.

“The RECs are a perfect example of how we work together for fairness, justice and safety.”

As is the case in the Belfast REC, the new Craigavon facility will be supported by Victim Support NI and NSPCC’s Young Witness Service.

Jenni Boyce from the NSPCC Young Witness Service said: “We have seen first-hand the difference the RECs have on young victims.

“There is a sense of relief when victims know they will not have to risk seeing the defendant in court and environments that help reduce fear and distress are so important for child victims. We look forward to further roll out of the evidence centres in Northern Ireland.”

Janice Bunting MBE, chief executive of Victim Support NI, said: “We welcome the official opening of the new REC in Craigavon and believe it demonstrates the government’s continued commitment to modernising the criminal justice system and extending this important service across Northern Ireland.

“Since the launch of the first REC in Belfast in 2023, our surveys have consistently shown that this new resource has made vulnerable victims and witnesses feel safer, be safer and more confident delivering their evidence.

“This has made their overall experience of the criminal justice system more positive, regardless of the case outcome.”

Director of public prosecutions Stephen Herron said: “For many victims and witnesses, attending a court building is extremely stressful and frightening.

“For some, the experience can be so overwhelming that they feel unable to take part in the criminal justice process.

“The simple fact is that RECs enable more victims and witnesses to give their best evidence and that is essential to successfully prosecuting and convicting offenders.

“This new centre is a welcoming and safe space, which I believe will help more people feel able to provide evidence during trials. It is a key step towards rolling out changes to all court areas.”