Cooperation mechanisms to combat domestic violence in wartime conditions were discussed in Chernihiv

From November 25 to December 10, an information campaign “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” is being held worldwide. That is why on November 28, a round table was held in Chernihiv on the topic: “Domestic Violence in Wartime. From Identifying and Establishing Mechanisms for Interaction of Subjects Implementing Measures to Combat Domestic Violence to Providing Comprehensive Assistance.”

The event was attended by representatives of the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights, the Regional Center for the Provision of BVPD, the regional coordinator of interaction with the public of the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Human Rights, the Chernihiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, the Department of Patrol Police in Chernihiv Oblast, the Department of Preventive Activities of the Main Police Department in Chernihiv Oblast, the Children’s Service of Chernihiv Oblast, representatives of the Charitable Foundation “Right to Protection” and “Rokada”, as well as a representative of the mobile brigade of socio-psychological assistance from the UN Population Fund.

During the meeting, problematic issues related to the detection of cases of domestic violence, timely response to them, providing assistance to victims of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, redirection or involvement of other entities in providing assistance to victims, and reporting of identified cases were discussed.

Separately, they talked about the decrease in the statistics of detecting cases of domestic violence. Over the 10 months of 2022, the Main Police Department received more than 8,528 reports of domestic violence, but this figure does not reflect the real state of the situation, because the 102 line has not been working for 2 months, only 2 community police officers have already started working at police stations in communities, many residents have left abroad or to other regions of Ukraine, programs for perpetrators almost do not work in communities, so the situation remains quite difficult.

Taking into account all the problematic issues discussed, the roundtable participants came to the conclusion that it is necessary to create effective mechanisms for exchanging information and cooperating on detected cases of domestic violence. In addition, for the effective work of all entities, it is necessary to create a “map” of service providers for victims of GBV and domestic violence in order to provide high-quality, timely and comprehensive assistance to victims of violence.

Separately, police representatives emphasized the need to conduct ongoing information exchange activities with representatives of public organizations and the opportunity to advocate for changes in legislation.