Kerelaw Child Abuse Cases: The public (but not the press) excluded
from
hearing the evidence
The public is being excluded from the Edinburgh High Court in
the Kerelaw
case every time an accuser making allegations of a sexual nature
takes the
witness stand.
FACT (Falsely Accused Carers and Teachers in the UK) says this
is an
appalling situation. Justice must not only be done but be seen
to be done.
Excluding the public from the trial seriously disadvantages the
defendant.
It also increase the risk of false allegations being made in the
future
since it removes an important level of accountability.
How else are the public to know whether the accounts given are
true and
justice is being done if they are denied an opportunity to hear
the full
story. In this case the accusers are not children but adults.
If it was
considered necessary, judicially, to provide witnesses with extra
support
they should be allowed to give evidence unseen (but not unheard)
by the
general public.
A FACT spokesman says that it is particularly important when
allegations of
historical child abuse are made that the general public should
hear the
evidence as the events being described relate to incidents which
took place
many years ago. Members of the public may therefore have vital
information
which is not generally known but which might assist the parties.
In other cases FACT has been able to assist defendants by providing
Counsel
with important information concerning the events alleged. A FACT
spokesman
said that it had plans to visit the Court and give support to
the accused
but now is unsure whether or nor their presence will be permitted.
End.
Background Information.
FACT is UK wide organisation which support falsely accused carers
and
teachers accused of child abuse. It has members throughout Scotland.
or further information see www.factuk.org
This release has been prepared by Michael Barnes, National Secretary
of FACT
who can be contacted on 02920 777 499 or by email using sec@factuk.org
