Special Measures

[EbonyRaven]

Has anyone had these at court? Screens, video link etc. Did you find them effective, and did they help you to get through the whole thing better?

I was told that with screens they empty the whole court, put them up, get you in and then let everyone back in. Then when you leave after giving evidence, they empty the court again.
I’m not sure I can handle the idea that such a huge fuss is being made just because I don’t want him to see me. It seems massively counterproductive, and as if it would be irritating at the least for the magistrates, as well as feeling very egotistical.

Do you think it would be better to just get through it without all that?

[KIP.]

Didn’t happen with me. The screens were already up and I walked past the gallery and him behind them. They were like office partitions. I couldn’t have looked my abuser in the eye and his death stare would have unnerved me. I dint want to see his face at all. Bear in mind that unless he’s remanded he will be able to wander freely round the court building. I got screens then my ex cornered me in the corridor outside and then waited outside the building for me coming out. If I had me time again aid do video link. Keep away from all that nonsense. Depends if your brave enough to face him but then why put yourself through that added stress?

[Flowerchild]

(detail removed by moderator)

Do ensure you are escorted into and out of the building by an usher – all the way from and to your transport, darling.

Flower x

[EbonyRaven]

That sounds awful Kip.

I’ve arranged to go in by a special entrance and wait in a room he won’t have access to, and I’ll leave immediately after giving evidence so won’t be there when he is finished, so I’m not worried about bumping into him there, or him being able to have access to me after.

I wish there were that sort of screen here, that sounds like a much better idea.

I imagine it’ll be more the pathetic, I’m so sad that you’d put me in this place looks I’ll get. The ‘I’m a victim of my mental health issues and you’re a cruel woman to make me be here’ stance. His default position is victim, always.

I need somehow to rid myself of this notion I have that if he can’t see me he’ll forget I exist quicker.

[EbonyRaven]

Lol Flowerchild, what a great thought. 🙂

[KIP.]

The sounds of your voice to him will be just as impactful. And the best bit is he doesn’t get to interrupt, gaslight, lie, blame, etc while you give your evidence. He has to listen! You will do really well. He may plead guilty on the day, I’ve heard they’re often told to hang on, as witnesses often don’t turn up. Not this time though. The ball is in his court. He just has to be honest and own up. Save everyone’s time x

[fizzylem]

Good luck ER! If you start to falter you just take a mo to think about the ladies on here rooting for you and all the people who love and support you – we might not be there to hold your hand but we are with you in spirit willing you on girl. It’s one day out of the rest of your life, probably not even that, a few hours hopefully. It will be ok – you will get through it x

[xpeacex]

Hi, I had a screen which helped me because seeing him would have affected me. I thought I be very nervous but I felt calm and confident.
Piece of advice, if your ex’s lawyer asks anything about the past which is not the time of what your ex done for being arrested then catch them out. Tell the lawyer he should not be going on about the past or things unrelated. Thats actually a big thing, so if they go on about anything but then speak up and tell them. I believe my ex’s lawyer had plenty more questions until i caught him out as he kept going on about the past rather than sticking to the (detail removed by moderator) His lawyer went quiet for a minute or two hah looking through his notes thinking what do when I caught him out.

In court to me its like a game kinda if that possibly makes sense to any of you here.

Anyway the screen for me helped so much.
Take care 🙂

[KIP.]

Remember lunch breaks. And adjournments. We broke for lunch and as the court closes for lunch I was kicked out of the witness room along with everyone else. I had to leave the court building for the lunch break. W*f. He was outside. The court adjourned and they let him out first. So he could wait outside. Just do your homework x I’m glad you’re not scared of him. No doubt he will give you a wide berth x

[AlwaysSorry]

It’s not a huge fuss at all. It won’t even take that long to put the screens up, depending on how the court is outlined, it might only be as much as one screen that needs to be rolled into place. There is no doubt in my mind that I could have gone through with it had it not been for that screen.

Listen closely to xpeacex’s advice. I wish I had known this beforehand. As KIP has mentioned before, I wish victims were given advice and prep similar to that of the defendant. Stick to the truth no matter how hard his lawyer might try to steer you away from it. It is my wish for you that justice will prevail on the day x

[Author]

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