OSCE Mission to Moldova continues to enhance capacity of local professionals combating domestic violence

Some 240 district law enforcement officers and social workers completed training courses on combating domestic violence organized by the OSCE Mission to Moldova in eight southern districts of Moldova, including the Autonomous Territorial District of Gagauzia from 18 July to 2 August 2018.

Under the guidance of local experts in combating gender-based violence, the participants reviewed national legislation and international best practices on handling domestic violence cases and discussed the long-term effects of domestic violence on victims. The participants also learned about recent amendments to the law on domestic violence, which authorize police officers to issue emergency protection orders. These amendments enable police officers to react immediately in order to protect survivors without waiting for a court decision.

The interactive nature of the training sessions allowed law enforcement officers and social workers to develop a mechanism of co-operation at the district level in order to effectively intervene at all levels of the domestic violence cycle and deepen their knowledge of victims’ rights.

"During our training sessions we continuously emphasized the crucial role of timely intervention to prevent physical abuse of a domestic violence victim and their children,” said Simion Sirbu, an expert from the Centre for Aggressors in Drochia. “As a result of the training sessions held in previous years, we have registered a growing number of referrals made to our centre by police officers investigating domestic violence cases.”

Over the past three years, more than 400 district law enforcement officers and social workers from northern and central parts of Moldova have participated in OSCE-supported training sessions.

These activities by the Mission, which bring together professional communities from both banks to address issues of common concern, are also in line with the priorities of the joint Moldovan and Transdniestrian Human Rights sub-Working Group.