A new custom-built facility has officially opened in Craigavon, designed to ensure that intimidated and vulnerable witnesses do not have to encounter defendants during court proceedings.

The Remote Evidence Centre (REC) is a standalone building situated away from the courthouse. It is intended to enhance existing support services, allowing both adults and children to participate fully in the justice system via videolink. The establishment of these centres follows a primary recommendation from Sir John Gillen's 2019 report regarding serious sexual offence procedures in Northern Ireland.

Justice Minister Naomi Long, who formally opened the site, noted that the Department of Justice has now established RECs in Belfast and Craigavon, complementing the NSPCC-led facility in Londonderry.

Minister Long said: "For many witnesses, the prospect of giving evidence in a courtroom can be extremely distressing. RECs provide a safe, supportive alternative that can reduce anxiety while enabling full participation in proceedings and upholding the integrity of the justice process."

The Minister revealed that demand is rising, with more than 600 witnesses using a REC last year. She noted that conviction rates for these cases remain around 90%, often due to guilty pleas entered at the start of a trial. Minister Long continued: "I believe that when we give vulnerable victims and witnesses a choice about how they participate in the justice system, such as where they give their evidence or how they receive information, they feel safer, more respected, and better able to give their best evidence. This improves their overall experience, supports recovery, and strengthens confidence in the justice system as one that is responsive, compassionate and centred on individual needs. The success of RECs relies on strong partnership. I am therefore indebted to the PSNI, PPS, court staff and those dedicated individuals from Victim Support NI and the NSPCC Young Witness Service who do so much to ensure REC cases run smoothly. The RECs are a perfect example of how we work together for fairness, justice and safety."

The Craigavon facility will be supported by the NSPCC's Young Witness Service and Victim Support NI.

Jenni Boyce from the NSPCC Young Witness Service said: "We have seen first-hand the difference the RECs have on young victims. There is a sense of relief when victims know they will not have to risk seeing the defendant in court and environments that help reduce fear and distress are so important for child victims. We look forward to further roll out of the evidence centres in Northern Ireland."

Janice Bunting MBE, chief executive of Victim Support NI, added: "We welcome the official opening of the new REC in Craigavon and believe it demonstrates the government's continued commitment to modernising the criminal justice system and extending this important service across Northern Ireland. Since the launch of the first REC in Belfast in 2023, our surveys have consistently shown that this new resource has made vulnerable victims and witnesses feel safer, be safer and more confident delivering their evidence. This has made their overall experience of the criminal justice system more positive, regardless of the case outcome."

Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Herron, highlighted that the fear of attending a court building can prevent some from participating in the legal process entirely.

Stephen Herron said: "For many victims and witnesses, attending a court building is extremely stressful and frightening. For some, the experience can be so overwhelming that they feel unable to take part in the criminal justice process. The simple fact is that RECs enable more victims and witnesses to give their best evidence and that is essential to successfully prosecuting and convicting offenders. This new centre is a welcoming and safe space, which I believe will help more people feel able to provide evidence during trials. It is a key step towards rolling out changes to all court areas."