OSCE introduces best practices for handling domestic violence cases in Moldova’s Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia
The OSCE Mission to Moldova facilitated a workshop for 22 law enforcement officers and six public defender lawyers on how to better investigate domestic violence cases and protect the rights of the victims on 16-17 November.
This workshop was organized in partnership with the NGO “Vesta”, an association of seven women’s organizations active in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, and the Women’s Law Centre from Chisinau. The event served as a communication platform among legal professionals from the region. With the help of trainers, they discussed how to more efficiently intervene in crisis situations based on new protections provided by the law, which enable police officers to issue emergency orders in life-threatening situations. A judge from the Supreme Court of Justice, Chisinau shelter psychologist, former Chief prosecutor from Causeni district and the Head of Public Security Section from Comrat took time off from their regular duties and served as trainers.
“This is a rare opportunity in our region where we can share our experience in handling domestic violence cases and learn about country-wide best practices. Such workshops upgrade our professional skills”, noted Anna Ostreva, section chief at the Police Inspectorate in Comrat.
The event follows a series of similar trainings for law enforcement officers that the OSCE Mission has supported this year throughout the Republic of Moldova. This project aims to improve the capacity of the justice sector and law enforcement to respond to domestic violence cases in Moldova.