Rights award recognises intermediaries’ work with vulnerable witnesses
The ACT Intermediary Program continues to provide intermediary services across the ACT. So far this financial year, the program has registered a 44 per cent increase in referrals compared to the same period last financial year.
“The positive contribution intermediaries are making within the ACT criminal justice system was demonstrated in December 2022, when the program was awarded the ACT Chief Minister’s inaugural Sue Salthouse Award for Championing Human Rights and Equality,” says program director Laura Cilesio.
Since the program began in January 2020, almost 800 witnesses aged from 2 to 92 years have been assisted by ACT intermediaries to communicate their best evidence.
At the request of judges, magistrates, registrars, lawyers and police, the program matches appropriately skilled intermediaries to the specific communication needs of vulnerable witnesses. The program operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including public holidays.
“In the first eight months of this financial year, the program received 185 referrals from ACT Policing, and 31 requests from ACT Courts. This is a 44 per cent increase in referrals received by the program,” says program director Laura Cilesio.
Contact the ACT Intermediary Program:
- Phone 02 6205 2222
- Text 0434 855 030
- Email intermediaryprogram@act.gov.au
