Vulnerable witnesses giving evidence in court are to have additional support with the expansion of a program that allows them to have a four-legged friend by their side.
The program, delivered by the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) and the Department of Justice and Community Safety’s Child Witness Service, received its newest recruit this week, a two-year-old black Labrador named Kiki.
Minister for Victim Support, Natalie Hutchins said Kiki would join her Labrador partner, Suzie-Lucy, who was the first dog in Australia to be allowed on the witness stand as an individual gave evidence.
“Due to overwhelming demand, Kiki has joined the program, and will be based at the Child Witness Service to support children and young people under 18 who are required to give evidence in court,” Ms Hutchins said.
“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,” she said.
“Provided by Assistance Dogs Australia, the pair are trained to accompany a witness and will lie quietly next to their feet.”
Ms Hutchins said Kiki and Suzie-Lucy were able to perform a range of tricks, including playing tenpin bowling with the witness and turning the pages in a book.
The Minister said the dogs helped provide calming support to vulnerable witnesses and reduced the likelihood of further traumatisation.
“Victoria is currently the only State running a full-time program with an accredited dog working in both remote witness rooms and on the witness stand in courtrooms,” she said.