Ministerstwo Sprawiedliwości

A conference took place on 18 November 2013 to launch the project realised by the Ministry of Justice entitled “Strengthening activities for victims of domestic violence”, which is co-financed under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. During the conference, a presentation was held of the project activities and the activities of the Ministry of Justice in the area of preventing domestic violence conducted so far. The objective of this project is to reduce the scale of domestic violence.

On 3-6 December 2013, the representatives of the Ministry of Justice involved in the project took part in a study visit in Oslo, organised by the Programme Operator. During the visit, they participated in meetings with the representatives of the relevant organisational units of the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Norwegian Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion, with the representatives of NGOs that run, i.a., counselling, shelters for those affected by domestic violence, and shelters for domestic violence victims. The visit was an opportunity to exchange information about the systemic solutions offered by the scheme to aid domestic violence victims in both countries and about legal solutions available.

In February 2014, a bulk distribution of leaflets on the “Strengthening activities for victims of domestic violence” project commenced. In total, over 66,000 copies of leaflets were distributed among courts, for further distribution by the Probation Service, Specialist Domestic Violence Victims Support Centres and Assistance Centres for Crime Victims.

On 27-29 November, 4-6 December and 10-12 December 2014, training courses were held in Warsaw and in Kraków for persons working with domestic violence victims. The classes in law and psychology were attended by several dozen psychologists, pedagogues, lawyers, first-line employees, police officers and mediators who provide help to domestic violence victims who report to the Assistance Centres for Crime Victims.

From October 2015 to February 2016, educational meetings are held in voivodship cities on request of the Ministry of Justice. During the meetings, the victims are provided with information on the forms of assistance available, how to respond to violence and prevent it, including legal aspects, i.e. the rights a domestic violence victim has in a criminal, civil, family procedures as well as in terms of social entitlements. The meetings are held by professional educators. During each meeting, the final hour is dedicated to providing individual, free advice by an advocate or a legal advisor, so that the victims may talk about their own issues. During the meeting, the attendees and their children are provided with free catering service. Also, childcare is provided for children of attendees for the duration of the meeting. The attendees also receive training materials and reimbursement of commute costs.

At the same time, group psychological-educational classes are held for those affected by domestic violence in voivodship cities on request of the Ministry of Justice. The classes include lectures, working in groups, role play, working with surveys and other forms proposed by the specialists holding the classes. During the meetings, the attendees receive information about forms of violence, ways to respond to violence and how to prevent violence. The attendees are also provided with free catering services, training materials, and reimbursement of commute costs.

MATERIALS FOR PERSONS AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

In 2011, the Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the Police Headquarters, prepared and published a Charter of Rights of Persons Affected by Domestic Violence.

In 2013, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy prepared and published an “Information guide for persons affected by domestic violence”. The Information guide contains a description of first steps to take in order to ensure safety to yourself and your family, information on the revised Blue Card procedure, description of basic entitlements of persons affected by domestic violence during the criminal procedure (before the Police, prosecutor and court), in family procedure with respect to childcare and spousal matters (before court), civil procedure (before court), or a description of entitlements in the area of social assistance. The Information guide also contains templates of basic letters that may be of use for domestic violence victims.

The Ministry of Justice’s website “Strengthening activities for domestic violence victims” provides a definition of domestic violence, forms and types of violence, materials for persons affected by domestic violence in the form of the Charter of Rights of Persons Affected by Domestic Violence, Information guide for persons affected by domestic violence, a template of a free medical certificate or contact details to Assistance Centres for Crime Victims and Specialist Domestic Violence Victims Support Centres.

The aim of the Project „Strenghtening measures to support victims of domestic violence” is to reduce the domestic violence.

The target group of the project are the individuals working with victims in the Support Centres for Crime Victims, and victims of domestic violence, who come to these centers, and pursuant to an agreement dated 15.09.2011 about the cooperation to combat domestic violence, also to Specialized Support Centres for Victims of Domestic Violence.

There will be trainings placing particular emphasis on the legal and psychological aspects of domestic violence, dedicated to individuals who work with the victims in the Support Centres for Crime Victims. We are planning the trainings for 44 individuals working with the victims of domestic violence to raise their professional competences.

There will be educational meetings and psychological therapies dedicated to the victims, to equip them with knowledge about their rights and protection mechanisms.

The Project involves approximately 120 actions, both for individuals working with the victims of domestic violence (trainings), and the victims of domestic violence (educational meetings and psychological support).

The coordinator of the Project is Anna Wiecha – main specialist at Departament of International Cooperation and Human Rights, Unit for Prevention of Domestic Violence at the Ministry of Justice.

Contact details:

Tel.: 22 23 90 621
Fax: 22 23 90 651

e-mail: Wiecha@ms.gov.pl

About more contacts see: „Kontakt”.