(1) Because a child tends to be vulnerable in dealings with a person in
authority, it is the Parliament’s intention that a child who is a witness in
a proceeding should be given the benefit of special measures when giving the
child’s evidence.
(2) The following general principles apply when dealing
with a child witness in a proceeding—
(a) the child is to be treated with
dignity, respect and compassion;
(b) measures should be taken to limit, to
the greatest practical extent, the distress or trauma suffered by the child
when giving evidence;
(c) the child should not be intimidated in
cross-examination;
(d) the proceeding should be resolved as quickly as
possible.