Southampton, England – The psychological toll on jurors in child sexual abuse cases is coming under new scrutiny as a doctoral study at the University of Southampton seeks to explore the traumatic impact of their courtroom experiences. Jurors are frequently exposed to distressing testimony and evidence, which previous studies have indicated can lead to symptoms such as nightmares and intrusive thoughts.
Stephen Hanvey, who is pursuing his PhD and has prior experience in court victim support services, is spearheading this initiative. His goal is to gather detailed insights from jurors to develop methods that minimize emotional distress during and after trials. The research will include jurors from England, Wales, and Scotland, relying on an anonymized 45-minute survey and an optional confidential interview.
A pilot program initiated in October currently offers up to six free counselling sessions and round-the-clock helpline support to jurors in 15 crown courts across England and Wales. However, access to mental health support remains limited, prompting a reconsideration of policies concerning juror welfare.
Studies underscore the importance of such efforts. A 2024 paper published by the British Journal of Clinical Psychology points out that jurors with a history of personal trauma may find the viewing of graphic evidence particularly agonizing. Relatedly, a 2016 study in the Journal of Criminal Justice reviewing 18 studies reported that up to half of jurors experience trauma-related symptoms.
Hanvey’s experience in the witness service at Winchester and Southampton crown courts has provided him firsthand accounts of the profound effects serving on child sexual abuse trials can have on jurors. One former juror shared with him the emotional distress she faced when witnessing children being discredited in court—a scenario that painfully echoed her own childhood experiences of not being believed about abuse.
Adding to the challenge is the rule that jurors are not to discuss the trial details, restricting their ability to process the experience through conversation, even after the verdict is delivered. This can exacerbate feelings of isolation and stress.
The Ministry of Justice has acknowledged the significance of the issue, which is why it is backing the counselling pilot scheme. This initiative will undergo a thorough review to decide on its future and potential expansion.
This study comes at a crucial time as legal systems increasingly recognize the psychological impacts of jury duty and look towards more trauma-informed approaches to support these essential civic participants.
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