Watch my question about improving support for jurors

While I was pleased at the appointment of a new Victims’ Commissioner earlier this month, I remain deeply concerned at the levels of support offered to jurors.

Recently, I met with a constituent who had served as a juror in a very distressing child sexual abuse case, and she expressed to me the profound psychological toll such a trial can have.

Research supports this.

A study by the British Journal of Clinical Psychology in 2024 found that having experienced trauma in the past can worsen the stress of viewing graphic evidence during jury service.

While an earlier 2016 study in the Journal of Criminal Justice found that up to 50% of jurors can experience trauma-related symptoms, including PTSD.

Jurors are the cornerstone of our justice system and must be protected.

This morning, I asked the Victims’ Minister about the support available to them.