OSCE trains professionals working with survivors of domestic violence in Transdniestria

From 18 to 20 October 2017 the OSCE Mission to Moldova together with the Ribnita-based NGO Vialex organized a training workshop for a group of 20 psychologists, social workers and shelter staff who work with survivors of domestic violence. The trainees belong to several NGOs that seek to provide comprehensive assistance to beneficiaries residing in Tiraspol, Grigoriopol, Ribnita and neighbouring localities on the left bank.

Training sessions focused on identifying causes of family conflicts, the difference between functional and non-functional family dynamics and coaching techniques for families affected by violence. The trainer, a psychologist who has aided women and children in domestic violence situations, employed roleplays and educational exercises to demonstrate new counselling methods specifically designed to address trauma and post-traumatic stress.

“This training is unique as it offers us the possibility to learn new counselling methods  and exchange best practices with our peers in the region,” says Olga Purakhina, President of Vialex.

This capacity-building effort is a continuation of workshops held in 2015 and 2016, when the Mission trained about 90 psychologists, social assistants and other members of district multi-disciplinary teams from both banks, namely from Chisinau, Comrat, Drochia, Causeni, Ribnita, Bender, and Tiraspol. Having received positive feedback from participants and further requests from other maternal centres and shelters, the Mission supported this training to enlarge the pool of specialized domestic violence counsellors.