Introduction

Chapter 18 examines selected issues that arise in the trial of sexual offence cases in relation to the application of the laws of evidence, the giving of jury warnings and the cross-examination of complainants and other witnesses. These issues have been selected because the application of law in these areas has a direct and significant impact on the experiences in the criminal justice system of women and children who have suffered a sexual assault. The way in which these aspects of the law are applied may lead to cases being withdrawn at a late stage or tried without the full evidentiary picture being before the jury.