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Elsene –
The Brussels Capital Ixelles police zone recently acquired a lot of dog cuddly toys, intended to provide comfort to children who are witnesses or victims of a traumatic event. You can take the cuddly toy home afterwards.
Since the beginning of August 2022, the Brussels police have been able to count on Lucky, her whisper dog. The golden retriever is used, among other things, to assist victims of traumatic events during their interrogation. Now there is also a cuddly toy from the zone that also goes by the name Lucky.
Already abroad
“Worldwide, various intervention services such as fire brigades, ambulances and police already hand over cuddly toys to children who experience a traumatic experience,” says Gilda Storms of the Police Victim Support Service. “We thought that was an excellent idea and believed that such a hug could also provide added value in our police zone.”
From now on, the services will also be able to distribute the new cuddly toy dog to children involved in an intervention, whether it concerns an accident, a case of domestic violence or other incidents.
“We notice that the children are often upset or impressed by sirens, flashing lights and the whole commotion,” Gilda Storms continues. “During previous interventions where a cuddly dog was handed out, they became distracted and temporarily forgot their sadness or fear. We hope that the hug will help the children to process the event.”
There is also a small cardboard bone hanging from the leg, equipped with a QR code that, after scanning, refers to the page of the Police Victim Treatment Service on the Brussels police website (www.polbru.be).