The Department of Justice provides funding of £418,000 to the service to ensure a range of support services are available to young prosecution witnesses to enable them to give their best evidence at court.

Speaking after her visit, Ms Sugden said: “It is crucial that children and young people participating in the criminal justice system have access to the support they need. I have seen today how the support services provided by the staff and volunteers of the NSPCC Young Witness Service help young witnesses have a more positive experience at court.

“The strong partnership between my Department and the NSPCC in the delivery of this service underlines the importance placed on helping children and young people feel able to tell the court about what has happened to them.”

She added: “I applaud the NSPCC Young Witness Service for exploring new ways to improve the support on offer to children and young people attending court. Having met Connie, a therapy dog, and heard how she can help to reduce the stress experienced by vulnerable children at court, I believe that young witnesses will benefit from this.”

Neil Anderson, NSPCC Head of Services for Northern Ireland, added: “We welcome the Minister’s interest in and commitment to the NSPCC Young Witness Service as one of the special measures to support young people in giving evidence in court settings. Children tell us it makes a real difference to what can be a very bewildering environment.”