ODIHR trains police officers in Kyrgyzstan and Georgia to respond to domestic violence
Helping police officers better respond to cases of domestic violence was the focus of training organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and partners in Kyrgyzstan and Georgia on 8 and 11 June 2012, respectively.
The training session in Kyrgyzstan, organized in co-operation with the Interior Ministry and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, provided senior law enforcement management with insight into developing strategies for mainstreaming gender considerations into their work, so police can be more effective in responding to cases of domestic violence.
“It is crucial to adopt a community-oriented policing approach and address the everyday security needs of people in Kyrgyzstan,” said Azamat Abdrahamov, a trainer on domestic violence issues at the Interior Ministry of Kyrgyzstan. “Domestic violence is a prevalent problem affecting women in our communities, and police must address their specific needs.”
The training session in Georgia, organized in co-operation with UN Women and the Interior Ministry, was held in Gori and focused on improving police response times to reported incidents of domestic violence in settlements of internally displaced persons.
“It is key that police officers, in Georgia and beyond, understand the urgency of responding to domestic violence calls and addressing the needs of victims, who may have no one to turn to and whose lives may be in danger,” said Andreea Vesa, Human Rights Officer at ODIHR.
Both training sessions were based on the Gender and Security Sector Reform Toolkit, first published in 2008 with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces and the United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women – since incorporated into UN Women – which highlights the importance of gender equality in police ranks and includes practical strategies for addressing domestic violence, including co-operation with non-governmental organizations in aiding police with victim rehabilitation.