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New Labrador takes witness stand in Victorian courts
The Victorian government has expanded the Court Dog Program to allow vulnerable witnesses to draw on support from a four-legged friend while giving evidence.
Naomi Neilson
Due to overwhelming demand, new Labrador Kiki will join partner Suzie-Lucy in the Child Witness Service to provide support for children and young adults under 18 who are required to give evidence in court. The program is being delivered by the Office of Public Prosecutions and the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
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Since the Court Dog Program commenced in May 2017, the dogs have supported almost 300 witnesses across 250 cases, nearly half of which have been children.
Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said the program has been a “wonderful initiative” that helps make the court system more sensitive to trauma experienced by children.
“Kiki’s calming influence will be welcomed in more court hearings across the state – providing emotional support to help minimise the particular distress and anxiety child witnesses can feel,” Ms Symes said.
Provided by Assistance Dogs Australia, the pair are trained to accompany a witness and will lie quietly next to their feet. They finished their advanced training at the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre as part of the Pups in Prison program.
Kiki and Suzie-Lucy are able to perform a range of tricks, such as playing tenpin bowling with the witness and turning the pages in a book, to help provide calming support and reduce the likelihood of further traumatisation.
Solicitor for Public Prosecutions Abbey Hogan commented: “The Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions is proud to have started this remarkable program, which has proven so beneficial in helping ease the stress of witnesses giving evidence in the courtroom.”
