by NADEEM BADSHAH
THE first trial in Britain of crime victims being given support dogs to stroke during police interviews has been welcomed by campaigners.
They believe the move by Kent Police could tackle the stigma faced by south Asian survivors of sex attacks.
Oliver, a Labrador-retriever cross, is being used as part of a study into the impact that animals can have on witnesses during investigations and trials. During the study, which will run until the end of the year, two-year-old Oliver will be used to comfort victims of crime
during police interviews.
The project, which is being led by Canterbury Christ Church University, has taken inspiration from the US and Canada, where support dogs are used to help children, victims of sexual assaults and witnesses with mental illnesses.
And support groups believe the move could be rolled out nationally to other police forces.
Rani Bilkhu, founder of the Jeena International charity which works with victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and human trafficking, told Eastern Eye: “Any tool to enable victims speak about trauma is a positive step and is to be welcomed.
“It’s about ensuring victims are heard and feel safe when they are talking, so perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.
“It’s not expensive to do. It’s a wonderful idea because of the accessibility of dogs. They have the right temperament and are obedient.
“There is a stigma among victims in acknowledging it was wrong and then coming forward. They say, ‘I don’t want to tell police, people will find out’.
“There is a stigma attached to sex full stop and sexual violence. The dog acts as a buffer, as when we think of police in our community, we think of negative things.”
Researchers in Kent hope to conduct further analysis into the help Oliver can provide over the next seven years.
In the US, the dogs have been shown to have helped young victims of serious sexual assaults recall events more accurately to authorities.
It comes after a study found that the number of crimes in which victims refuse to support police action against suspects has risen by a third in a year. One in seven recorded crimes are being closed because victims are unwilling to press charges due to fears over revenge
attacks and being humiliated by defence lawyers in court.
Sexual offences where the victim wanted no further action rose by 19 per cent from 28,600 to 34,000 in the year to March 2018.
Khalid Mahmood, Labour MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, told Eastern Eye: “People who have undergone criminal violence and tragic events need a lot of support, counselling, a family friend.
“To an extent, an animal can provide the same thing. But once the person has given evidence, what happens to the animal if the person becomes attached to it? Because of the emotional stress, they would want to have that comfort and keep the dog. Will the police train more [dogs] or wrench them away from them after the court case, which could take months?
“That is my only issue – breaking the bond between the dog and the individual. In principle it is a good idea, but we don’t want to remove the support of that animal. It has to be thought through properly. It is a mechanism that could be used, but other support networks should remain in place.”
Kent Police detective superintendent Susie Harper said: “This project will enable us to find out more about how facility dogs can support victims and witnesses by providing comfort while decreasing anxiety and longer-term recovery from trauma so that better mental health and well-being is achieved.”
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