Specialist Support for Child Witnesses

Devon's one of the only places in the country which has specialist support for child witnesses in court.

The NSPCC provides the service and last year supported over 200 kids through Crown Court trials which often rest on the child's evidence.

Devon and Cornwall's young witness project manager Sarah Allum says children from 4 to 18 get referred to them: "about 20 percent of the young people we look after are aged 10 years and younger so a substantial number of very young children are required to be witnesses in criminal proceedings"

She continued: "the vast majority of cases involving childrens' evidence do unfortunately involve children who have been victims of some form of abuse. In many of these cases the only evidence is going to be what the child has to say"

You can find out more about the charity here