Training on Integrating the Issue of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Detention Monitoring
When
Where
Organized by
A training course on integrating the issue of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in detention monitoring in Serbia will take place in Belgrade from 25 to 27 March 2023. Organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the training will bring together participants from the offices of the Protector of Citizens, the Provincial Ombudsperson and the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, as well as from civil society co-operating with these institutions.
The training course is designed for organizations engaged in detention monitoring to help them integrate the issue of SGBV into their monitoring activities, by providing practical advice on best practices from OSCE participating States, supporting the identification of risk situations and discussing follow-up actions. The training course is based on ODIHR’s publication “Preventing Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Places of Deprivation of Liberty”, the first comprehensive international policy guidance related to the prevention of SGBV in places of deprivation of liberty, as well as on ODIHR’s Guidance Note for Oversight Mechanisms on Integrating the Issue of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Detention Monitoring.
Background
Sexual and gender-based violence in places of deprivation of liberty is an extreme form of discrimination and a serious human rights violation, which continues to be under-reported, under-researched and largely neglected. This is not a country-specific phenomenon. Acts of SGBV threaten the health, dignity, security and autonomy of victims, but remain largely ignored.
SGBV in places of deprivation of liberty is a widespread reality and remains a taboo for detainees and state authorities alike. It is often accepted as “collateral damage” of detention, enabled by acceptance of violence in closed facilities, patterns of negligence and inadequate safeguards, and is often a result of the power imbalance between detainees and persons deprived of their liberty. Victims are usually reluctant to report SGBV for fear of further retribution and stigma.
Oversight mechanisms can play a key role in detecting and addressing instances of SGBV in places of deprivation of liberty. It is also now well established that monitoring is an important factor in preventing SGBV and other forms of abuse.
The training is part of ODIHR’s work to address and prevent SGBV in places of detention across the OSCE region.