Justice Facility Dog Winston (front) with (from left) Director General of the Department of Justice, Adam Tomison; President of the Children’s Court of WA, Hylton Quail; CEO of Guide Dogs WA, Anna Presser; and Commissioner for Victims of Crime, Kati Kraszlan.
Western Australia’s first Justice Facility Dog will soon be giving young victims of crime and witnesses some canine comfort at the Perth Children’s Court.
Winston, a five-year-old black Labrador, has been trained by Guide Dogs WA to interact gently and calmly with victims, witnesses and other court users to reduce the stress and anxiety commonly experienced in the courthouse environment.
Director General of the Department of Justice, Adam Tomison said Winston and his handler would attend the Children’s Court two to three days a week as part of a 12-month pilot program to assess the viability of extending the service.
“Facility dogs are used in a range of legal settings internationally and in other Australian jurisdictions,” Dr Tomison said.
“They have been highly successful in reducing anxiety in people interacting with the justice system,” he said.
“Reducing stress for victims, witnesses and other court users provides the dual benefit of making the justice system more trauma-sensitive for vulnerable people, and increases engagement with court processes, which improves efficiency.”
Dr Tomison said the Department was committed to improving outcomes for victims of crime, witnesses and other vulnerable people engaged with the justice system, and this required a range of targeted interventions across the system.
The pilot program is being managed by the Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime.
Dr Tomison said Winston and his handler would operate in the public waiting areas of the courthouse or private witness waiting areas and would not enter the court room or remote witness facility while the court was in session.
“People can touch, pat and interact with Winston if they choose to,” he said.
“If a person is upset or anxious, the dog can provide comforting body pressure by placing its head on their lap or lying on their feet.
“The handler and dog will never approach anyone directly without their consent,” Dr Tomison said.
