OSCE Project Co-ordinator helps Ukrainian police tackle gender-based violence

KYIV, 20 September 2013 – Chiefs of precinct police from all the regions of Ukraine exchanged information on how they address gender-based violence and what can be done to better co-ordinate efforts with social service providers at an OSCE-supported roundtable event that concluded today in Kyiv.

The two-day meeting was jointly organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine (PCU) and the Ukrainian Interior Ministry, and brought together participants from all regions of Ukraine, as well as teachers from police academies. Representatives of the Social Policy Ministry of Ukraine informed law enforcement officers about the changes introduced recently into the work of social services providers.

“Co-ordination of efforts by various governmental offices is essential to help those who suffered from gender-based violence, and to prevent it more effectively,” said Rene BeBeau, the PCU’s Senior Project Officer. “We help Ukrainian authorities to improve co-ordination and exchange of information, so that inspectors would better co-operate with social services in assistomg victims of gender-based violence and implementing corrective programs for those who resort to violence in their families,” he added. 

“Police officers play a key role in combating gender-based violence and this is among our key priorities,” said Colonel Arkadiy Zaporozhtsev, the Head of the Precinct Police Inspectors Service of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry. “The course participants will be able to transfer their knowledge to precinct inspectors in the field, in order to improve work in this area and strengthen interagency co-ordination.”

The event was organized within the PCU-implemented project entitled “Support to Ukrainian National Response for the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence”.