Feedback service complainants and Barristers

Feedback service complainants to Barristers 

JusticeIsNow works to amplify the voices of complainants of sexual violence and operates a feedback service where complainants’ experiences are shared with barristers. This is not intended as damnation or criticism of barristers, but rather as an opportunity to deepen understanding of how specific questions, tones, or approaches in court can cause lasting harm to complainants. The service also recognises that many complainants who do not see a conviction experience anger, disappointment, and disillusionment after investing significant time and energy in the court process. For these individuals, the feedback service can support a sense of closure and provide greater understanding of the law, evidential thresholds, and the adversarial nature of the system. We are clear that we have an adversarial system, and we recognise that defence barristers have a job to do and must test the evidence. However, if conviction rates are to remain low, then the very least we can do as a society is to ensure harm reduction and intervention solutions are in place. 

JusticeIsNow will be asking all RASSO barristers to sign up to a newsletter which shares these experiences as well as examples of best practice. Individual Barristers are further approached on request of complainants post court. Across court observations over the past three years, judges have been praised for interjecting appropriately and providing explanations to jury members.