What is Pre-Trial Therapy?
Pre-Trial Therapy is emotional support, therapy or counselling that is offered to a victim or witness while the criminal justice process is on-going, and a trial may be possible. This covers from the point when you report what happened to the police to the time when all court proceedings are completed.
How is it different from other counselling?
At any point before or during support you may choose to report to the police the incident that has brought you to us. Once you have reported to the police there are certain guidelines we have to adhere to as therapists.
We can continue offering you support, but you need to be aware that the police and/or CPS may request to see the notes we make during sessions if they believe the notes may contain material relevant to the investigation or trial.
Only material relevant should be disclosed to the police or CPS and you have the right to agree to the disclosure, to see the notes, and to agree to all documents released to the police. Although our notes will be minimal, accurate, general and objective; you also need to be aware that if disclosed, these notes will be viewed by the defence.
What can I use Pre-trial therapy for?
Just like other CARA counselling, you will see the same therapist at regular appointments. You and your therapist will decide what these sessions can help you with. For instance, you could use the space to talk about or process the impact that sexual violence has had on you. You could also work on coping strategies for dealing with any distressing thoughts and feelings. Pre-trial counselling is also often used to deal with emotional distress in day-to-day life during the criminal justice process. You can talk about any worries you have about the police or court process. If you wish so, your counsellor can liaise with your assigned ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) so that they can better support you and your needs.
Can I pause my therapy if things get too much for me?
We understand that going through the criminal justice process can be quite difficult for some people and we would like to offer you emotional support tailored to your own needs. This is why you can choose to defer the start of therapy or pause it at any point. Your therapist will have a conversation about this, and you will agree on how to best plan your sessions.
What would happen if I remembered anything new about the incident?
If you remember anything new relating to your current police investigation during one of your therapy sessions, we would ask you to complete a “First Disclosure Form” where we state the new information you have disclosed. This form will be objective, concise, and factual. If you think the new information may assist your case, you can speak to your ISVA about how you can submit this to the police.
What about after the trial has ended or if it is decided by the Authorities that no further action will be taken regarding my report to the police?
In either of these scenarios, the work with your therapist will continue until you have completed your agreed number of sessions.
If you haven’t reported yet, but do decide to report at any time during therapy, we will discuss all these points with you in more detail.
