A victim assistant plays a very important role. The person will be there to help you getting through difficult legal procedures.
The victim assistant will prepare you for a court proceeding. You can discuss your concerns about the process, the proceeding itself, things you can do and your rights. Perhaps you have never been to court before, never testified and this might be a totally new situation for you. Thus, it is important for you to talk to your assistant beforehand.
The assistant will also accompany you in the court. If possible he/she stays with you in the court room or will be waiting for you outside. It is important that you have someone to talk to before and after the court proceeding.
After the court proceeding you may go together to the Centre to discuss the proceeding and your emotions and feelings. Tell your assistant about your feelings and needs.
The victim assistant plays a particularly important role when a victim is a child. A couple of days before a planned interrogation a child is prepared for it by a specialist. The assistant may also accompany a child before and after the interrogation.