Evaluation of the recent support dogs reform
1. The recent support dogs reform involves the launch of a full-time support dog programme for vulnerable witnesses, making trained dogs available to support witnesses through stages in the criminal justice system.
2. Following a 12-week trial, the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions in 2019 launched a full-time support dog programme for vulnerable witnesses. The reform involves trained dogs being made available to support witnesses in case conferences, committal hearings, trials, plea hearings, sentence hearings and appeals. The dogs can be present in both remote facilities and courtrooms. When in the courtroom, the dogs are kept as much as possible from jury visibility so the jury is not influenced.
3. Responses will vary according to the principle of justice selected.
4. Responses will vary according to the principle of justice selected.
5. The task word ‘critically examine’ requires a balanced response that points out both arguments in favour and concerns in relation to the reform. An overall judgment is also required, judging the relative strengths of the arguments supported with evidence. For example, a student might argue that the recent support dogs reformdoes achieve the principles of justice in the criminal law system. In this case, ‘critically examining’ the extent to which this reform has increased the achievement of the principles of justice overall in the criminal law system requires students to write about relevant arguments in favour and concerns in relation to the reform.