Effective counteraction to domestic violence – joint work of security agencies and the public

Region. With the introduction of quarantine restrictions in 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, the number of appeals to the Chernihiv region police regarding domestic violence has increased almost threefold. In addition, the region is one of the most depressed in Ukraine in terms of economic and demographic indicators. Particularly vulnerable categories in this situation are the rural population, families of combatants, families in difficult life circumstances, whose members are often subjected to domestic violence and gender-based violence.

Communities (TG).

In some aspects, the resolution of these issues on the ground is “slowing down” the decentralization process. Thus, as part of the reform, the staff and powers of the merged regional state administrations were reduced, in particular, the number of social workers decreased and the burden on those who remained increased. The responsibilities were assigned to the newly created communities. However, despite the fact that as of November 1, 2021, 57 TGs are fully functioning in the region, many of them still do not have responsible units to provide assistance to victims of domestic violence and other persons in difficult life circumstances (SJV).

Police.

As for the department itself, out of 57 territorial communities of Chernihiv region, new police stations have already been opened in 22. Today, at the level of Chernihiv, Nizhyn and Pryluky districts, sectors for combating domestic violence have been created in the Department of Preventive Activities (DPA) of the Main Police Department in Chernihiv region and the Nizhyn city police department (sector “Polina”), the tasks of which include professional consultation of victims and preventive work with perpetrators.

In the context of changing legislation, expanding the powers of the police and increasing responsibility for committing domestic violence, there is a need to develop the competence of not only police officers, but also heads/deputy heads of communities for timely identification and referral of victims for assistance, as well as bringing perpetrators to justice and supporting them in the future.

Coordination.

An important coordinating and expert role for new TGs in this direction is played by the regional state administration and its structural units, the Main Directorate of the National Police in Chernihiv region, and the Regional Center for the Provision of Free Secondary Legal Aid (BVPD).

In the future, their activities should expand to small and remote communities, where many problems arise due to decentralization: from the formation of structural units to the provision of specific legal and social assistance to victims, the prosecution and isolation of offenders. Special attention is paid to establishing communication and cooperation between these communities and the police, primarily in identifying facts of violence.

There is also a need to support and accompany local authorities in developing Programs or making changes to already approved ones in accordance with the specifics of a particular community and the State Program for the Prevention and Combating of Domestic Violence for the Period Until 2025, approved on February 24, 2021.

What to do?

Increasing the competence of representatives of TGs and police officers in solving legal and social challenges related to cases of domestic violence in the context of a multidisciplinary approach, as well as legal and social assistance in combating such offenses and working with vulnerable social groups is what is currently relevant.

The publication was prepared by the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights within the framework of the project “Public Control over Law Enforcement Agencies in Chernihiv Region” with the support of .