OSCE supports working group meeting on social standards for victims of domestic violence in Kazakhstan

The OSCE Programme Office in Astana supported the first meeting of the inter-departmental working group aiming at developing social services for victims of domestic violence that was held in Astana on 29 July 2015.

Some 20 group members from across the country appointed by  the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Health Care and Social Development, Education and Science and their regional branches as well as representatives of non-governmental and international organizations discussed the updated draft document on social standards for victims of domestic violence.

The draft document establishes the scope and requirements for the authorities and non-governmental organizations for providing social services according to the current national legislation and considering lessons learnt drawn from the previously-developed standards for victims of trafficking in human beings.

Two experts representing the Kostanay and Pavlodar city centers for adaptation of women and children introduced a report on the current situation of victims of domestic violence with general statistical data and shared recommendations based on their practical experience.

The working group will further define concrete tasks and functions of organizations providing special social services, conditions of admission, methods of identification of victims, minimum standards of care and services to be provided taking into account the international good practice in this field.

The meeting took place in the framework of the Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to assist host authorities and civil society in preventing and combating domestic violence and in offering qualitative social services to the victims.