THE manager of a women's refuge in Swindon is due to meet the Solicitor General Harriet Harman today.

The visit comes just days before Wiltshire's Crown Prosecution Service unveils its Witness Care Unit.

The new initiative is designed to put the needs of witnesses first throughout the prosecution service.

And Jenni Manners, who runs a women's refuge in the town, will be among representatives from the Criminal Justice System to greet Ms Harman when she visits the unit in Chippenham.

She said: "I've had the pleasure of meeting her before and this will be an opportunity to further encourage the Government's attitude towards legislative changes that will further protect victims of domestic violence."

The final preparations are underway for the opening of the care unit in February.

Ms Harman said: "Witnesses have a responsibility as good citizens to give evidence at court but they also have a right to support, protection and information.

"A new Witness Care Unit in Wiltshire will provide this support to enable witnesses to give the best evidence they can.

"It will mean a better deal for witnesses who will get the support and information they need; a better deal for the criminal justice system, which will have more witnesses engaging with the system and appearing at court and a better deal for the public as more offenders are brought to justice."

Witness Care units introduce a range of measures to provide practical help and moral support to victims of crime as well as witnesses.

These include an assessment to find out support requirements such as child care, transport and language issues.

Witness care officers at the centre will steer individuals through the criminal justice process and help them liaise with the police and the CPS about cases they are involved with.