THE Magistrate sits behind an imposing bench, lawyers talk in their own mysterious language, officials in uniforms are everywhere.
It’s daunting for anyone, but for a person with an intellectual disability, the process can be overwhelming and confusing.
The Criminal Justice Support Network (CJSN) is a service of the Intellectual Disabilities Rights Service, providing 24-hour, statewide support to people with intellectual disabilities who are in contact with the criminal justice system.
CJSN is able to provide personal support to victims, witnesses and defendants who have an intellectual disability in police stations, at court and during legal appointments.
The service has a ‘human rights’ focus and the main role of support workers is to assist with communication and understanding of processes, improve access to legal advice and representation, as well as provide some information and referral.
CJSN’s aim is to reduce the disadvantages people experience in the legal system due to their disability and it could not operate without valued volunteer support workers.
CJSN volunteers are comprehensively trained in how the court and police system work and how to help a person with an intellectual disability to make sense of it all.
Volunteers make a real difference to the court experience for CJSN clients enabling them to understand what is happening and to exercise their rights.
CJSN also provides statewide training for people with intellectual disabilities, police, court staff, lawyers, disability services and any other interested organisations and services.
The training aims to increase awareness and improve skills in communicating with people who have an intellectual disability within the criminal justice system.
For further information on the Criminal Justice Support Network, please contact 1800 666 611 or at www.idrs.org.au
