Today, February 12, 2020, as part of the European project 'VIVIEN - VIctim VIolence Educational Network, An educational project to improve the ability to assist women victims of violence', which has as its primary focus the prevention and suppression of violence against women through the work and education of experts from the system - police, justice, medicine, education and social services, the BaBe association held a seminar for managers. The seminar presented the progress of the project so far and the cross-sectoral trainings held, and presented the results of research by the University of Parma. The seminar was attended by 15 managers in sectors dealing with the prevention and suppression of violence against women.
The aim of the seminar was to improve common procedures for dealing with cases of violence against women. After the presentation by the representative of the BaBe association, a discussion followed on the challenges that individual departments face when working with victims of domestic and gender-based violence and the need for support between departments in such cases. Among the specific needs of individual sectors, the necessity of specialized education and clear protocols was recognized. The possibilities of violence prevention through sensitization and development of competencies of persons in the education system and family doctors were emphasized. The participants advised each other on key upcoming steps towards improving support for victims and prevention of gender-based violence, such as research on violence in adolescent relationships (conducted in cooperation with UNICEF) and the Action Plan for the Prevention of Violence Against and Among Children and Youth, which would be implemented in schools.
An upcoming project of the Ministry of Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy was also announced, which will continue to strengthen inter-sectoral cooperation, as well as the professional capacities of all relevant stakeholders in the field of combating violence against women. The will was expressed for further sensitization of experts and an intersectional approach, with the aim of improving social services for specific vulnerable groups, such as older women and women with disabilities. We are pleased that new initiatives within individual departments will in many ways build on the objectives of the project we are currently implementing and will contribute to consolidating the acquired knowledge and strengthening the system as a whole.
