Evolving psychological support for jurors
In 2018 CiC was invited to contribute to an ITV programme exploring the psychological support that was provided to jurors who had been involved in particularly harrowing cases. In that programme, the lasting impact of the distressing evidence presented during the Becky Watts murder trial in 2015 was a focus, as jurors were signposted to the Samaritans or their GP for help after the trial should they be experiencing trauma symptoms – but they are not offered individual counselling support or debriefing sessions.
The programme revealed that jurors affected by distressing material are routinely left to find professional support by themselves and there is no signposting to expert trauma therapy. The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) told ITV News that jurors hearing the most disturbing evidence were not getting the right support and that this omission could affect their judgment.
Since 2018 CiC has been in touch with senior judges, Parliamentarians, jurors with hands on experience of highly disturbing trials as well as those across the globe, especially from Australia and Canada, who have implemented effective and expert modules to support jury members. In the UK, we have much to learn from these programmes, and CiC is so grateful for the generous time that has already been given to those of us who are so keen to implement pilot projects here.
We understand that much of the work CiC currently delivers to those exposed to traumatic material in the course of their work, is very similar to the juror support modules overseas. For instance training webinars to educate jurors that it is normal to have a variety of reactions to traumatic material and present practical strategies that may help reduce the impact of exposure to potentially harmful imagery shown in evidence. Peer support networks, access to individual specialist clinical support and a specialist 24/7 helpline are some of the other psychological services we believe should be routinely made available to jurors in the UK.
House of Lords discussion
CiC was delighted to attend an event in the House of Lords on 21 November 2023 which was chaired by Baroness Berridge and brought together experts from across the globe to discuss the psychological support that was provided to jurors involved in cases with distressing or traumatic material at their heart.
With jurors often exposed to graphic detail over weeks and months of a trial, the discussion focused on the ineffectiveness of the current process of signposting and then important duty of care that the court system in England and Wales held towards jury members.
Participants from Scotland, Australia and Canada joined the discussion and shared their expertise in delivering professional support, peer programmes and practical training modules for jurors across various regions in their countries.
CiC spoke of its experience in delivering pre and post psychosocial support to journalists (war correspondents, photographers etc), aid workers (pre and post deployment in hostile environments), emergency services (police, NHS etc) and Government departments. Specialist programmes are offered to those exposed to traumatic material in the course of their working lives and we are now keenly aware of the need for similar protocols to be adopted to support jurors who give so generously to the courts and often feel abandoned after experiencing gruelling trials over many weeks.
It is critically important that we find a way to effectively support jurors in England and Wales who offer so much when attending trials.
Supporting people through traumatic experiences
As a mental health and wellbeing services provider, CiC has specialised in delivering 24/7 trauma support across the globe since its foundation in 1988.
We have worked with leading news agencies and corporations (Reuters, ITN, BBC, Al Jazeera), NGOs (Save the Children, Oxfam, Amnesty International), Government bodies & public sector organisations (Foreign Office, emergency services, NHS) delivering psychological and emotional support to those exposed to traumatic material in their working lives.
We provide resilience and peer support programmes to journalists, war correspondents, aid workers and employees from all sectors who may experience vicarious trauma through exposure to distressing events or graphic imagery on a regular basis. The programmes include training modules for those working in hostile environments – both before deployment and post assignment – preparing them for ‘normal’ reactions to trauma and offering confidential support at the end of their mission.