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Useful advice about going to court
 The decision to lay charges must be yours, as the victim. However, be prepared that once that decision is made, all further decisions about the conduct of the case will be in other hands.
Before making the decision to proceed, find out everything you can about the entire process: making a statement, the arrest procedure, bail conditions, the committal hearing, the trial and what support services are available to help you.
Ask as many questions as you like. The more information you have the better prepared you will be.
If you cannot work with the police officer/s assigned to your case, speak to the officer in charge and request a change.
Request any available literature about the court process and read it carefully.
Make sure that you are informed about each stage in the process before it happens.
If you feel the need for a screen to be placed in front of the perpetrator then demand it, and insist that every avenue is exhausted in obtaining it. It is your legal right to apply for it.
If you want a support person with you during the whole process, it is your right to do so. Demand it. Rape/incest crisis workers are usually very skilled in providing support for people. If you prefer, feel free to contact ASCA to see whether a court support person is available to accompany you.
If you ever feel the need for protection from the accused, find out what can be done and demand it.
Find out the name of the lawyer, in the prosecution’s department, who is handling your case and contact them whenever you need to, recognising that there will be periods when they do not have additional information for you.
If during the court hearings you feel like a break, ask for one. That too is your right.
Keep a diary of everything that happens, including the names of all lawyers and contact people involved, in case you need to contact them again. Then you will have a written account of what you have been told.
Gather all the information you can about how to make a criminal compensation claim.
Read the stories of other survivors who have gone to court.
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