KORUYUCU VE DESTEKLEYİCİ ÖNLEM OLARAK ÇOCUKLARIN MAĞDUR OLARAK BULUNDUĞU DAVALARDA HAYVANLARIN KULLANIMI
THE USE OF ANIMALS AS A PROTECTIVE AND SUPPORTIVE MEASURE IN CASES WITH CHILD VICTIMS

Summary/Abstract: The testimony of the victims and witnesses is crucial for the successful prosecution of a criminal case (Holder, 2013:1158). Over the last two decades, the number of cases involving children has increased dramatically (Holder, 2013:1158). The anxiety of the child being in an unfamiliar environment, the courtroom and the fear of the defendant can decrease the child's ability to testify and prevent all of the evidence being shown in the trial. In many states of United States, this special situation of the children in the courts is accepted and protective and supportive measures are implemented for them. Animals, especially dogs, can participate in the courtroom beside children, just like supportive persons and comforting materials accompanying them. However, the use of animals as supportive precautions in the court is not yet implemented in our country. This current study aims to investigate the opinions of PDR students on using animals as protective and supportive measures in the courtroom. For this purpose, students were asked 3 closed and 1 open ended questionnaires. As a result, it was found that students had a positive approach (92.1%) on the use of animals in the courtroom, they preferred birds (28.9%) the most, and seeing (44.7%) animals in court have a relaxing effect. When response contents were evaluated, emotional needs were found to be influenced by 78.9% in animal preferences. It is believed that the survey will provide basic information in implementing using of animals in courts in our country as a protective and supportive measure.

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