OSCE Office in Baku trains social workers in combating domestic violence

The OSCE Office in Baku organized a train-the-trainers workshop on the role of social workers in the prevention of domestic violence. More than 20 participants working in various shelters and family support centres attended the three-day event from 13 to 15 December 2011. Local and international experts delivered lectures on relevant legislation, the purpose and working mechanisms of shelters, the role and duties of social workers, and international experience on the issue.  

“This workshop is only one of many activities the Office in Baku is doing to assist the government in the implementation of the Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence of 2010,” said Melissa Stone, the Acting Head of Office, in her opening speech. “The Law provides for the establishment of shelters and support centres throughout the country and the experience of OSCE participating States indicates that the role of social workers is crucial in the work of such support centres,” she added.

Throughout 2011, the OSCE Office in Baku has supported the government as well as civil society organizations in the implementation of the law. Such activities included the establishment of a hotline service for victims of domestic violence; door-to-door visits to families to discuss the benefits and remedies that this law enables; and a conference in Baku and roundtable discussions in four regions as part of a larger awareness-raising campaign. The Office’s implementing partner, Clean World Public Union, received 800 calls from victims via the hotline service and has already addressed 80 cases.

The prevention of domestic violence and the implementation of the relevant legislation will continue as one of the main priorities of the OSCE Office in Baku during 2012.