Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:56

Advanced seminar on Domestic Violence Prevention

“Practical issues in prevention and combating domestic violence” 15th – 16th December 2011, Chisinau.

On 15th – 16th December 2011 the Moldovan Christian Aid in partnership with the Shelter for victims of Domestic Violence and the Association Against Violence jointly organized the advanced training course “Practical issues in prevention and combating domestic violence”.

The training course was attended by 22 participants consisting of students from the Social Assistance Department of Free International University of Moldova and representatives of several national NGOs.

The learning goals of the training were:

  • To enhance the participants' awareness of various forms of violence.
  • To identify the obstacles with which professionals have to contend in dealing with abused women.
  • Explore a deeper understanding of how children and women experience domestic violence, the impacts on them and the impact of the perpetrator on the relationship between mothers and children.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of how to work effectively with women & children experiencing domestic violence.
  • Exchange experiences on implementing evidence-based programmes for preventing violence against women, child maltreatment and elder abuse.

The training course looked also at types and characteristics of violence in the family, and the factors that underlie this violence in the Moldovan context, such as cultural values, personal history and psycho-social environment.

In this training were explored the following:

  • Domestic Violence: An overview (Statistics and Victims).
  • Domestic Violence and its impact on Women.
  • Domestic Violence and its impact on Children.
  • What can you do? (victim, friend or family member).
  • How can we address this problem effectively?
  • Local and National Resources.
  • National and International legal framework on domestic violence.

Participants in the training also looked at the typical recurring cycle of domestic violence, which moves through minor incidents, loss of control, distancing and a phase where the perpetrator of violence may beg forgiveness and promise not to repeat their behavior. The agenda for the workshop was structured to encourage participation and discussions, rather than formal presentations. The training consisted of plenary sessions combined with work in small groups held by two invited facilitators. In addition there were breakout sessions to explore examples of best practice of preventing and combating family violence held by representatives of the Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence “Casa Marioarei”.

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