Everyday thousands of children are being sexually abused. You can stop the abuse of at least one child by simply praying. You can possibly stop the abuse of thousands of children by forwarding the link in First Time Visitor? by email, Twitter or Facebook to every Christian you know. Save a child or lots of children!!!! Do Something, please!

3:15 PM prayer in brief:
Pray for God to stop 1 child from being molested today.
Pray for God to stop 1 child molestation happening now.
Pray for God to rescue 1 child from sexual slavery.
Pray for God to save 1 girl from genital circumcision.
Pray for God to stop 1 girl from becoming a child-bride.
If you have the faith pray for 100 children rather than one.
Give Thanks. There is more to this prayer here

Please note: All my writings and comments appear in bold italics in this colour

Thursday 30 October 2014

Hawk, Police Trauma Dog, to Help Child Witnesses in Sex Abuse Case

The Calgary, Alberta, Canada's Police Service's victim assistance dog, Hawk, will be allowed to sit with two child witnesses when they testify at an upcoming sexual assault trial.

The request was made by Crown prosecutor Rose Greenwood in a pre-trial application Wednesday and the defence lawyer did not oppose the idea, which will see the four-year-old black Labrador comfort the children in December.
Hawk the dog receives his police badge
Justice Bruce Millar granted the application and addressed Hawk directly, highlighting the potentially precedent-setting nature of the decision.

"You might be the first dog in Canada, Hawk, to be a court-ordered comfort dog," said Millar.

Hawk is used by police to calm people in times of stress and trauma and first joined the force about a year ago.

Greenwood says comfort — or support — dogs have been used in court in the United States, but he believes this is the first time such a thing will happen in Canada.

"In the last few years, there's been a significant amount of cases from the U.S. where they've been using support dogs in court not only for child witnesses but vulnerable witnesses as well," said Greenwood.

One of the child witnesses is a seven-year-old girl whose father is accused of sexually assaulting her.

Her nine-year-old brother will also testify.

The children have visited Hawk twice for "play dates" to get acquainted with him.

One of Hawk's handlers says the decision to allow the dog in the courtroom is important for improving the justice system.

"Anything we can do to make the justice system more open and we can create, as best we can, a comfortable, a confident witness — that aids in the success of our justice system. It's very exciting," said Sgt. Brett Hutt. "I love it."

Greenwood said she hopes comfort dogs like Hawk will be used more in the future, adding that she'll likely make the request again.

Hawk has been used in schools where traumatic events have taken place.

He even accompanied several witnesses in the Brentwood stabbing case back to the home where the five students were killed in April.
Hawk the trauma dog with his handlers 
Sgt. Brett Hutt, Hawk the trauma dog and Kathlynn Funfer are all with the Calgary Police Service's victim's assistance unit. 

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