Name: Sudáfrica recurre a los perros para ayudar a los niños ante los tribunales
Uploaded: 2026-03-18T14:58:41.201Z
Duration: 1 min 50 s
Description: Cada año se denuncian en Sudáfrica decenas de miles de casos de abusos a menores. Uno de los principales retos sigue siendo la dificultad a la que se enfrentan los niños a la hora de testificar ante la justicia, a menudo percibida como intimidatoria. Para hacer frente a esta situación, se ha introducido un enfoque único: los perros de terapia.

Cada año se denuncian en Sudáfrica decenas de miles de casos de abusos a menores. Uno de los principales retos sigue siendo la dificultad a la que se enfrentan los niños a la hora de testificar ante la justicia, a menudo percibida como intimidatoria. Para hacer frente a esta situación, se ha introducido un enfoque único: los perros de terapia.

Johannesburg

At the Krugersdorp magistrate's court in South Africa, therapy dogs dressed in court-themed costumes participate in pre-trial sessions with children. The program is designed to help children understand court procedures and reduce anxiety, particularly for those involved in abuse cases.

Organizers report that interacting with the dogs helps children feel more relaxed and confident when testifying. Although the dogs are not yet allowed in actual courtrooms during trials, there are hopes to expand the program in the future, following examples set in Canada and Australia.

Sudáfrica recurre a los perros para ayudar a los niños ante los tribunales

Los sábados, en el juzgado de primera instancia de Krugersdorp, se admiten animales de compañía. Estos perros incluso se visten con trajes inspirados en el tribunal. Ahí está Diva, la fiscal, vestida con una toga negra y dorada. Mia, la magistrada, de rojo. Cody, el labrador, lleva uniforme de policía. Y Linka, con un vestidito rosa, es la testigo. Así que Linka interpreta varios papeles, y dependiendo del papel que lleve determinará el atuendo que llevará ese día. Estos perros asisten a las sesiones previas al juicio con los niños. En Sudáfrica se denuncian cada año cerca de 30.000 casos de maltrato infantil. Para los niños, el entorno judicial puede ser extremadamente intimidatorio. Estos juegos de rol les ayudan a entender mejor cómo funciona un tribunal. Después de la sesión, los niños pueden pasar un rato con los perros. El Dr. Omar trabaja con el sistema judicial sudafricano desde 2015. Al acariciar al perro, aumenta la serotonina, y se liberan las hormonas de la felicidad y las endorfinas, y es más probable que se sientan seguros al testificar. Y eso es algo que hemos observado, que los niños que pasan por esta oportunidad de compromiso con los perros de terapia sin duda son más competentes en sus testimonios. Los niños salen de las sesiones mucho más relajados que cuando llegan. Tengo un juicio el 30 de marzo, y no sé qué esperar, pero después de hoy creo que estoy preparado. Por ahora, no se permite que los perros acompañen a los niños el día de la prueba. Pero los impulsores del programa esperan que algún día sea posible, como ya ocurre en Canadá y Australia.

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