{"id":167190,"date":"2017-01-17T16:35:17","date_gmt":"2017-01-17T06:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=167190"},"modified":"2020-09-25T17:03:05","modified_gmt":"2020-09-25T07:03:05","slug":"volunteers-needed-to-help-kids-in-court","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2017\/01\/17\/volunteers-needed-to-help-kids-in-court\/","title":{"rendered":"Volunteers Needed To Help Kids In Court"},"content":{"rendered":"

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PACT CEO Jo Bryant<\/figcaption><\/figure>January 17, 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

Protect All Children Today (PACT) is looking for Child Witness Support volunteers in the South Burnett to help child victims and witnesses through the court process.<\/p>\n

PACT has been supporting children and young people for over 30 years to help them cope with giving evidence in court. <\/p>\n

Today, PACT has more than 100 volunteers throughout Queensland who provide support to over 1300 child victims and witnesses every year. <\/p>\n

“It takes courage for children to go to court and relive a distressing experience in front of complete strangers,” PACT CEO Jo Bryant said.<\/p>\n

“Courts are daunting places for adults, let alone children. <\/p>\n

“Our volunteers teach children about the court process and the people involved, and they accompany the child when they meet with the prosecutor and when they give their evidence. <\/p>\n

“PACT support enables the child to be better prepared for the court process, to know what to expect, and this empowers them to give the best evidence possible.” <\/p>\n

Ms Bryant said PACT voluntary work was extremely rewarding. <\/p>\n

“It is also great to get recognition for the important work we do from the judiciary, the police and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.”<\/p>\n

Child Witness Support volunteers come from all walks of life, including many retired professionals or full time parents whose children have grown up.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prospective volunteers do not have to have any previous experience as comprehensive training is provided. <\/p>\n

PACT has also good support processes in place for its volunteers such as debriefing, regular team meetings and in-service training.<\/p>\n

What PACT volunteers have in common is flexibility to accommodate the needs of the children to be supported at court during court sittings, maturity, commitment and a desire to do something meaningful that can make a real difference to vulnerable members of their community.<\/p>\n

More information about becoming a PACT volunteer can be obtained by phoning them on 1800-449-632, or by visiting their website<\/B><\/A> to download an information pack.<\/strong>
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