Download Standards: Prevention and Protection

Standards: Prevention
and Protection
Dr Shazia Choudhry, Reader in Law, Queen Mary,
University of London
Prevention
• Awareness raising – Article 13
• Example: France ratified the Convention in July 2014. The French government launched a
campaign on sexual harassment in public transport in November 2015. The aim is to raise
awareness of the issue and of thepenalties, as well as to encourage reporting and bystander
intervention
• Education – Article 14
• Example: Italy ratified the Convention in September 2013. In 2014-15, the Italian government
developed a web series on violence against women, focusing on the role of men and how they
could choose non-violent behaviour towards women. This was then used to educate young
people in schools
• Training – Article 15
• Example: Spain ratified the Convention in April 2014. It has specialised bodies in the police
corps and judiciarydealing with violence against women, with appropriate training for staff
• Preventive Intervention and Treatment Programmes’ – Article 16
• Participation of the private sector and the media – Article 17
Protection – Intervention Principles
• Parties shall ensure that measures taken pursuant to this chapter shall:
• – be based on a gendered understanding of violence against women and domestic
violence and shall focus on the human rights and safety of the victim;
• – be based on an integrated approach which takes into account the relationship
between victims, perpetrators, children and their wider social environment;
• – aim at avoiding secondary victimisation;
• – aim at the empowerment and economic independence of women victims of
violence;
• – allow, where appropriate, for a range of protection and support services to be
located on the same premises;
• – address the specific needs of vulnerable persons, including child victims, and be
made available to them.
• The provision of services shall not depend on the victim’s willingness to press
charges or testify against any perpetrator.
Key Provisions for Services – Chapter IV
• Clear and concise information – Victims must be supported with access
to clear and concise information, in a language they understand;
• Accessible shelters – Member States have to ensure that shelters are
accessible in sufficient numbers (1 family place per 10,000 inhabitants)
and adequately distributed across the country;
• Telephone helplines – Member States are obliged to ensure state-wide
24/7 telephone helplines available free of charge. Helplines are essential
in offering immediate expert advice and pointing victims towards safety;
• Specialised help centres – Member States are obliged to ensure easily
accessible rape crisis or sexual violence referral centres to provide
immediate medical counselling, care and forensic services.
• Reporting:
• Encourage reporting by relatives, witnesses, general public
• Possible for professionals to report but subject to confidentiality rules
• General Services:
• Accessible, long-term support directed to victim's recovery.
• Legal and psychological counseling, financial assistance, housing, education, etc.
• Health and social care: detection role..
• Trained professionals.
•
•
•
•
Support of Children:
Sensitive response to children in all services.
Due regard to the best interests of the child.
Age-appropriate psychosocial counseling
•
•
•
•
Assistance in individual or collective complaints:
Ensure information and access to applicable
regional and international mechanisms.
i.e.: ECHR, CEDAW, European Social Charter