OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine supports training courses for mobile police teams on combating domestic violence

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine supported a five-day training course for officers of pilot mobile police teams on responding to cases of domestic violence from 22 to 26 May 2017in Dnipro.

Supported by Ukraine’s Interior Ministry and the National Police, the course centred on a victim-oriented approach and encouraged active interaction between different police units, social services and non-governmental organizations.

The training was conducted in a specially furnished interactive classroom, equipped in the Dnipro State University of Interior with the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’s support in 2009.

The trainees – 21 police officers, ten of whom were women – worked with scenarios based on real life to enhance their understanding of their role in preventing and combating domestic violence. They learnt how to deal with such cases, and the identification and referral of domestic violence victims for further assistance and rehabilitation. The training also focused on the psychological aspects of police work in working with perpetrators and victims, including children, national referral mechanisms and pre-medical assistance to victims.

“The training of mobile police teams marks the start of new community policing approaches that will allow us to effectively address domestic violence,” said Anastasia Deeva, Deputy Interior Minister. “We are extremely glad that the OSCE Project Co-ordinator stands in solidarity with us in helping to fight domestic violence.”