Keeping it safe for children

Starting from next month, children giving evidence in Seychelles' courts will do so via a video link to reduce the trauma they normally go through while testifying in person in the courts of law.

The video link project is the brainchild of the National Council for Children (NCC), to allow children more effective testimony against their abusers and offenders.

Up to now, the NCC has been strongly against children giving evidence in the same courtroom as their abusers.

The council's National Director, Ruby Padiwalla says, “too many cases of child abuse have been ineffectual in the past, due to the child’s inability to cope with the presence of their offenders in the same room where they are about to testify.”

A spokesperson for Space ‘95, the company responsible for the set up says, the equipment allowing for the link-up will be handled by the presiding judge of the day and are very user-friendly.

“The cameras cover four locations at a time and should allow the judge the advantage of projecting the angle of the courtroom he deems appropriate for the child testifying to see,” explained Andy Noel of Space '95.

NCC's request to relocate the courtroom where children normally give their evidence to their headquarters has been rejected.

“Although they financed all the equipment for the project, the judiciary strongly feels, such location should be independent of the child welfare organisation,” argued Melchior Vidot, who is the Registrar.

The video link set-up system has been endorsed by the Seychelles' judicial and the social development departments.