OSCE Mission presents manual on domestic violence for Kosovo's social workers

PRISTINA, 9 March 2006 - A manual that will help social workers better assist victims of domestic violence was today presented by Ambassador Werner Wnendt, the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, to Ibrahim Selmanaj, PISG Minister of Labor and Social Welfare.

The manual, entitled Responding to Incidents of Domestic Violence, contains a thorough analysis of the applicable law in Kosovo and international human rights standards on domestic violence. It provides practical guidance for social workers on how to support victims and their families, describes the psychological and physical dangers domestic violence poses to women and children, and supports the concept of a multi-agency response to domestic violence.

"Society as whole must be aware that domestic violence is not acceptable and there is an urgency to educate the public about this problem," said Ambassador Wnendt. "While much remains to be done, this manual is a small but necessary contribution to combat this crime and ensure that this problem is dealt with in a comprehensive manner."

The manual, created with the assistance of the OSCE Mission, is a balanced combination of theory and practical tools for social service workers. It outlines their roles and duties in protecting and supporting victims.

Minister Selmanaj welcomed the manual, saying: "Violence as such is unpreventable, yet at the moment when there is violence it should be dealt with properly. We are committed to put into practice the guidance in this manual in the interest of our society and deal with cases of domestic violence."

The manual has been translated into both Albanian and Serbian and will be disseminated to social workers throughout Kosovo.