‘I feel like I’m going to be sick’: Witnesses and victims are often traumatised in court. Enter an army of volunteers

Jennifer says many of the volunteers remain with the organisation for years. “I think most people stay because it’s purposeful and they end up better people,” she says. “We learn not to judge. We learn life can be cruel.”

Jennifer attended training sessions about stress and trauma, but hasn’t felt the need to see a counsellor. “Most of the volunteers here and in Sydney feel that they cope well because we’re doing something positive. We work at leaving it here,” she says. “We start when we walk in, we finish when we walk out.”

Just before lunchtime on the day of the sexual assault trial in Newcastle, Jennifer heads back upstairs to check on the witness waiting to give evidence, taking a handful of chocolates with her. “It’s a tension-breaker,” she says.

Shortly after the witness accepts Jennifer’s chocolate, a court officer calls the witness’s name. Having waited for several hours, it’s now her turn to tell the jury what she knows. As she walks into the courtroom, Jennifer is close behind, silently indicating to the witness where she should stop and bow to the judge before she enters the witness box.

The prosecutor begins by asking for her name and how long she has known the alleged victim. She calmly answers questions about what her friend told her happened on the night of the alleged assault. From the other side of the courtroom, the defendant silently watches on. His lawyer’s cross-examination is brief, and when there are no more questions, the judge dismisses the witness. She bows and follows Jennifer out of the courtroom, embracing her as soon as they’re through the heavy courtroom doors. Volunteers are not allowed to have any contact with clients after their day in court, so for Jennifer, this is goodbye.

Later, the young woman tells me how anxious she’d felt coming to court that morning, and how Jennifer had helped to calm her nerves. “She was a familiar face that I could look for in the courtroom,” she says. “She’s a very comforting presence. I’m just really glad she was here.”

Neither the witness nor Jennifer are in court the next day when the jury returns a not guilty verdict.

It’s a day off for Jennifer, and she’s left behind the tension of the courtroom in exchange for the simple joy of watching her grandson on stage in his preschool concert. It’s a jarring contrast, but she’ll be back at the courthouse the following week, on the lookout for the next stranger who needs a compassionate ear, a quick guide to court etiquette or just the distraction of a sweet treat.

“We let the witnesses and victims know we’re there just to support them,” Jennifer says. “And that they’re not on their own.”

If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact Victims and Witnesses of Crime Court Support. You can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636. You can reach Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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