Published Tuesday, 26 August, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Justice Grant to Enhance Support for Vulnerable Child Witnesses
Vulnerable child witnesses and victims of sexual offences will receive enhanced support from volunteers thanks to a grant of $41,850 from the Bligh Government.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said Logan Central-based organisation Protect All Children Today (PACT) will use the funds to improve the skills and knowledge of its volunteers.
“PACT will host the Protecting Children Today conference in 2009 which will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to network, share information and work towards best practice in this field,” Mr Shine said.
“These funds will help boost the number of child witness support volunteers, Indigenous community members and workers from throughout Queensland who can attend the conference, by helping to meet the registration cost for more than 90 delegates.”
Mr Shine said PACT was one of many agencies throughout Queensland which assisted vulnerable people in the state’s justice system.
“Child witnesses and victims of sexual crimes have an important role to play in ensuring criminals are brought to justice, however they can be intimidated by the thought of having to enter a courtroom to give evidence in front of a judge and the accused,” he said.
“PACT provides a valuable contribution through such initiatives as its Child Witness Support Program which helps children and young people who need to give evidence in a criminal court, whether as victims or witnesses to a crime.”
Mr Shine said the PACT program was one of 28 initiatives funded this year from the Legal Practitioner Interest on Trust Accounts Fund (LIPITAF) which is administered by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General to enhance community legal services and education.
“These grants will help level the legal playing field for some of the most vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalised people in our society, including victims of crime, people with disabilities, Indigenous Queenslanders, young people and refugees,” he said.
“The grants range from $15,000 to $155,000 and will provide more than $1.8 million in total for a wide range of worthwhile projects.”
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said Logan Central-based organisation Protect All Children Today (PACT) will use the funds to improve the skills and knowledge of its volunteers.
“PACT will host the Protecting Children Today conference in 2009 which will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to network, share information and work towards best practice in this field,” Mr Shine said.
“These funds will help boost the number of child witness support volunteers, Indigenous community members and workers from throughout Queensland who can attend the conference, by helping to meet the registration cost for more than 90 delegates.”
Mr Shine said PACT was one of many agencies throughout Queensland which assisted vulnerable people in the state’s justice system.
“Child witnesses and victims of sexual crimes have an important role to play in ensuring criminals are brought to justice, however they can be intimidated by the thought of having to enter a courtroom to give evidence in front of a judge and the accused,” he said.
“PACT provides a valuable contribution through such initiatives as its Child Witness Support Program which helps children and young people who need to give evidence in a criminal court, whether as victims or witnesses to a crime.”
Mr Shine said the PACT program was one of 28 initiatives funded this year from the Legal Practitioner Interest on Trust Accounts Fund (LIPITAF) which is administered by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General to enhance community legal services and education.
“These grants will help level the legal playing field for some of the most vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalised people in our society, including victims of crime, people with disabilities, Indigenous Queenslanders, young people and refugees,” he said.
“The grants range from $15,000 to $155,000 and will provide more than $1.8 million in total for a wide range of worthwhile projects.”
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273