What are the main tasks of witness counsellors?

“We work at the Regional Court and all local courts throughout Hamburg. Our mission is to provide the best support possible to people who have been called to testify as witnesses, so that the stress and severe burden often associated with witness testimony are reduced.
Our services are directed to all witnesses called to testify in Hamburg – no matter what the offence, their age or sex. This means that we not only counsel those directly affected by criminal offences, but rather also witnesses to the offence. But most of our cases deal with those affected by physical or sexualised violence.”

Do you provide support to witnesses before and after the trial as well?

“Our work begins when witnesses are called upon to testify – along with the summons, they receive an information sheet containing our address and contact details. From that point on, witnesses are able to contact us. This means that: Our first contact is on the phone or via e-mail, and we take a look at what the issues are.
We also accompany them to the court hearing, which is primarily to reduce their stress level so that they don’t feel alone in the courtroom. We’ve already gotten to know them a bit and it is more comfortable for them than to sit alone during the hearing.
And our work ends when the trial is over, and then we take a look: What are their needs, and there might be the possibility of referring the witnesses to other specialised counselling centres.”

What are the questions you are asked most often?

“The main question that witnesses have is: What will happen at the trial, and that is mostly connected with the question: Will the defendant be present, will he or she attend the court hearing? - and the answer is that the defendant is indeed generally present during the court hearings.
And because the image of courtroom is a little distorted due to TV programs or experiences in other countries, there are often questions about the basic questioning during the hearing, because a lot of people are unsure because they think that witnesses might interrupt and yell things from the back of the room like we sometimes see on TV.
Another question witnesses often have is that they don’t know how to deal with reporting again in such detail what they have been through, and they don’t know how they will be able to testify, especially in the presence of the defendant. And then we also take a look at: How well does the person cope with stress situations, and then we think about how we can react and work to improve.”

What effect does your support have in the ideal case?

“In the best case, a witness leaves the courtroom and feels stronger for having done it, is happy that it’s over and they can have some closure and then possibly start therapy, according to their needs, of course. The feeling of closure and of having accomplished something is always good.”

Name: Shanti Vodjani
Profession: Social education worker, social worker and witness support provider before Hamburg Regional Court
Task: Witness support providers help victims but also persons who have “merely” witnessed a criminal offence, no matter what type. They give answers to any questions arising before a trial and accompany the victims or witnesses to the trial if they wish.