EDUCATION OF POLICE OFFICERS ON GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN SOCIAL MEDIA

Dec 3, 2020

EDUCATION OF POLICE OFFICERS ON GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN SOCIAL MEDIA

Supported by the Gender Center - Center for Equity and Gender Equality of the Republic of Srpska, implemented by the Association "RS MoI Women Network - RS WPON"

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The project “Education of police officers on gender-based violence in social media” was implemented from December 31, 2019 to July 31, 2020. Before the trainings took place, input and output tests had been prepared for trainees, as a tool to measure both attitudes and knowledge and skills acquired at the training. The training covered the following topics: – “Documenting and prosecuting domestic violence cases”, – “Intervention of police officers and control of their behavior in gender-based violence cases”, – “Taking reports and investigating gender-based violence offences in social media”.

TARGET GROUP

The target group are the police officers of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior. A total of 45 police officers of this Ministry underwent the training under this project – 38 female police officers and 7 male police officers.

PROJECT DYNAMIC

The training dynamics was as follows:

On 03/03/2020 a training for police officers of Banja Luka and Mrkonjić Grad Police Administrations was held in hotel “Bosna” in Banja Luka. The training was attended by 15 police officers.
On 06/22/2020 a training for police officers of Doboj and Prijedor Police Administrations was held in hotel “Hajdučke vode” in Teslić. The training was attended by 15 police officers.
On 07/10/2020 a training for police officers of East Sarajevo and Foča Police Administrations was held in hotel “Board” on Jahorina. The training was attended by 15 police officers.

PROJECT OUTCOMES

Having analysed input and output tests, the training was evaluated and rated as very useful with training topics and trainers highly rated, too. Therefore, it can be concluded that the training outcome was fully accomplished and project tasks successfully implemented. The trainees emphasized the need to have further training of police officers on gender-based violence in social media, as well as on adequate documentation of these crimes.

Domestic Violence And Gender-Based Offences Exerted On Social Networks – Education Of Police Officers

Nov 4, 2019

Domestic Violence And Gender-Based Offences Exerted On Social Networks – Education Of Police Officers

implemented by the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior Women Network - RS WPON

In 2016 and 2017, with the approval of the minister of the interior and the financial support of the OSCE Mission to BiH, the Association “RS MoI Women Network – RS WPON” implemented the projects “Domestic Violence – Education of Police Officers” and “Domestic Violence – Education of Police Officers – Managers”. This project constituted 12 trainings in all PSCs with a total of 144 police officers trained.

The analysis of the evaluation questionnaires and the project reports showed that the projects were very well received and evaluated, both by police officers – trainees and trainers (representatives of the RS Ministry of the Interior and the Prosecutor’s Office), as well as by donors – the OSCE Mission to BiH. As a result of quality implementation, the OSCE Mission to BiH offered to the Association to continue their cooperation during 2018 through similar trainings for police officers in the Republic of Srpska.

The minister of the interior approved the signing of the project and the implementation of the project activities.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The project “Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Offences – Education of Police Officers” was implemented through 6 trainings from March 20 to November 20, 2018 for police officers of all 10 RS MoI Police Administrations.

The project “Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Offences – Education of Police Officers” has included four main modules and a practical evaluation:

Documenting and prosecuting domestic violence cases;
Intervention of police officers and control of their behavior;
Specific features of police officers’ communication with victims of domestic violence – cognitive interviewing techniques with the victim and perpetrator of domestic violence;
Registering reports and investigating gender-based offences exerted on social networks

The program included 9 classes in one training day, which means it was more comprehensive than the ones in previous two years, having in mind the addition of a fourth module.

NEED ASSESSMENT

Compared to any type of criminal offence or misdemeanor, domestic violence has a specific impact and far-reaching consequences on future generations and society as a whole. The expansion of social networks as communication channels gives room for committing offences and misdemeanors in a new, specific way that particularly affects children and minors. In order to interrupt the destructive effects of these acts on wider community, the police must be constantly trained in this area. Therefore, the key focus of training is on police officers, especially on police knowledge, skills and abilities.

PROJECT TARGET GROUP

The target group are police officers who deal with domestic violence cases at the territory under RS MoI jurisdiction.

ORGANIZING TRAININGS FOR POLICE OFFICERS

A total of 69 police officers (51 males and 18 females), who act on domestic violence cases and gender-based offences in their everyday tasks and duties, attended a total of 6 trainings under the project “Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Offences – Education of Police Officers”, conducted by the RS MoI Women Network – RS WPON and financially supported by the OSCE Mission to BiH.

On 03/23/2018, an education for police officers of Police Administration Trebinje was held in “SL Industry” Hotel in Trebinje. The education was attended by 12 police officers (9 male and 3 female police officers). The training was delivered by the members of the RS MoI and Prosecutor’s Offices.

On 04/27/2018 an education for police officers of Police Administration East Sarajevo and Police Administration Foca was held in “Board” Hotel on Jahorina within the same project. The education was attended by 12 police officers (8 male and 4 female police officers). The training was delivered by the members of the RS MoI and Prosecutor’s Offices.

On 06/22/2018 an education for police officers of Police Administration Bijeljina and Police Administration Zvornik was held in “Novak” Motel in Zvornik within the same project. The education was attended by 11 police officers (10 male police officers and 1 female police officer). The training was also attended by OSCE Mission to BiH representative, Elmaja Bavcic.

On 08/31/2018 an education for police officers of Police Administration Doboj was held in “Kardijal” Hotel in Teslic within the same project. The education was attended by 10 police officers (7 male and 3 female police officers).

On 09/24/2018 an education for police officers of Police Administration Gradiska and Police Administration Prijedor was held in “Monument” Hotel on Kozara within the same project. The education was attended by 12 police officers (7 male and 7 female police officers).

On 10/29/2018 an education for police officers of Police Administration Banja Luka and Police Administration Mrkonjic Grad was held in “Vidovic” Hotel in Banja Luka within the same project. The education was attended by 12 police officers (10 male and 2 female police officers).

RESULTS

In terms of education evaluation, it should be emphasized that the choice of modules has influenced the accomplishment of the full purpose of the trainings, and the project goal has been fully implemented. The topics presented by the lecturers were complementary to one another, and the new module on domestic violence and gender-based offences exerted on social networks that police officers encounter in practice has completed the previous ones.

In terms of interaction, participants’ active involvement and presentation of knowledge and skills by the trainers, one of the conclusions of all educations is a high level of professionalism and readiness to deal with the complexity of specific criminal and misdemeanor cases.

In addition, 100% of interviewed police officers stated that the choice of modules or topics had a desirable effect.

The methodological linking of domestic violence and gender-based violence exerted on social networks and the Internet has yielded the desired outcomes in trainings conducted in RS MoI Police Administrations, especially for young police officers who received only basic knowledge and skills on preventing and combating domestic violence during basic police training at Police Academy and modest knowledge and skills about investigating gender-based violence exerted on social networks, which is getting more present with the development of information technology.

As in previous two years, it was reiterated the specificity of this type of education due to possibility to have direct contact and exchange of information and opinions between police officers and prosecutors, as well as to present and develop discussions on specific criminal cases.

Within the fourth module, trainees were briefed on the abuses and international police actions against organized crime and crime against women and children, as well as investigations conducted by domestic police agencies. The lecturer targeted the specifics of the investigations of these crimes and the elements of protection of the victim and witnesses during the court proceedings.

According to the filled-in questionnaires, the trainees pointed out that they have acquired relevant knowledge and skills having in mind that these are areas that require continuous follow-up on misuse of information technologies and use of new knowledge in investigations.

The novelty and the result of educations are elements of domestic violence and gender-based violence prevention through monitoring the communication of potential victims and abusers through social networks. The mentioned issues are focused on the need to strengthen cooperation with prosecutors and the judges of Misdemeanor Divisions, as well.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

It was pointed out the necessity to continue further education, with special emphasis on a greater number of these educations for management personnel, but round tables, too, with representatives of other relevant subjects that act in these cases, too.

During the discussion, as well as in questionnaires and during previous trainings, the trainees presented concrete examples of positive and negative communication with the acting prosecutors and the different approach of prosecutors in similar situations.

As in previous two projects, it was suggested to organize trainings for a greater number of management personnel.

The discussions yielded conclusions on necessity to do an analysis regarding the small number of emergency barring orders and protection orders, as well as different manner in which police departments react.

It was reiterated the recommendation to strengthen cooperation with judicial institutions.

Prevention of Discrimination against Roma and Violation of Roma Children Rights

Nov 4, 2019

Prevention of Discrimination against Roma and Violation of Roma Children Rights

implemented by the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior Women Network - RS WPON

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The activities implemented under the project “Prevention of Discrimination against Roma and Violation of Roma Children Rights” are as they follow:

developing a brochure on “Prevention of Discrimination against Roma and Violation of Roma Children Rights” for police officers, Police Academy cadets and Faculty of Security Sciences students;
preparing entry and exit surveys for trainees, organizing and delivering a workshop for Faculty of Security Sciences students;
organizing and delivering a workshop for police officers of Organized and Serious Crime Directorate, Police Administrations of Doboj, Banja Luka and Gradiska, Brcko District Police, Tuzla Canton MoI, and Zenica Canton MoI;
organizing and running a street campaign in Doboj; organizing and delivering a workshop for Police Academy cadets; organizing and delivering a workshop for police officers of Police Administrations East Sarajevo, Foca and Trebinje, Brcko District Police, Bosnian Podrinje Canton MoI, Tuzla Canton MoI;
organizing and running a street campaign in Trebinje;
organizing and running a street campaign in East Sarajevo;
the analysis of entry and exit surveys – measuring the change of attitudes in trainees;
the analysis of evaluation questionnaires – assessing the trainers’ competencies and the education topics.

On 04/22/2019 the first education was held in Banja Luka for students of the Faculty of Security Sciences. It was attended by 21 student, 20 females and 1 male. The education lasted one working day and covered all specified topics including joint discussion between trainers and students.

On 05/27/2019 the Park Hotel in Doboj hosted education for police officers of Police Administrations Doboj, Banja Luka and Gradiska, as well as women police officers of Brcko District Police, Tuzla Canton MoI, and Zenica Canton MoI. The education was attended by 20 trainees, 13 male and 7 female.

On 05/28/2019 a street campaign was held in Doboj.

On 06/13/2019 an education for cadets of Police Academy was held in Hotel Palas in Banja Luka.

On 06/27/2019 the second training was delivered for police officers of Police Administrations East Sarajevo, Foca and Trebinje, as well as women police officers of Brcko District Police, Bosnian Podrinje Canton MoI, and Tuzla Canton MoI in Hotel Bord in Jahorina. The education was attended by 20 police officers, 6 male and 14 female.

On 06/30/2019 a street campaign was held for the citizens of Trebinje. The campaign was organized by the Network representatives and police officers of Trebinje Police Administration.

On 08/12/2019 a street campaign was held for the citizens of East Sarajevo, as the last project activity. The campaign was organized by the representatives of Network and East Sarajevo Police Administration. The campaign was previously announced by the Information Department of the RS Ministry of the Interior.

TARGET GROUP

The target group of the project are police officers, RS MoI Police Academy cadets, Faculty of Security Sciences students, as well as citizens of East Sarajevo, Doboj and Trebinje.

PROCJET IMPACT

The start of the project entailed the establishment of partnership and cooperation with the NGO “Romani Cej”, which gave the opportunity to the Association representatives, as well as other involved in the project, to become more familiar with the program and work of the Roma organization and acquire new knowledge about the Roma community. Consequently, the partnership itself has led to a change in attitude and raising the level of sensitization of the Association members. The recording a joint video clip, organized by the management of the “Dialogue for the Future” project, contributed to the additional guidance and strengthening of the cooperation.

Students and academics – future police officers showed great interest in education topics, raised many questions and rated the presence of the Roma population in education as particularly important. Such activities and educations can have a significant impact on raising the awareness and changing negative attitudes and preconceptions about the Roma population, which is of special importance when it comes to future representatives of the social system who should act in cases of discrimination against the Roma population.

During the educations, police officers exchanged experiences with each other related to specific cases from practice trying to find the best possible solution so that they could act even better in the future. Highly significant is the impact of cooperation between the RS MoI representatives and representatives of other MoI from the Federation of BiH and Brcko District who had the opportunity to exchange experiences in dealing with this population.

Street campaigns, which exceeded the expectations of the campaign organizers, were particularly influential. The impact of the campaigns on the citizens is clearly indicated by the media interest and the fact that the activities of the project, especially the campaigns, were broadcasted on dozens of portals. From the gender perspective, the impact has been equally made to both women and men.

The representatives of organizations from other countries contacted the representative of the partner Association “Roma Girl – Romani Cej” and inquired about the dynamics and implementation process of this project, since this type of activities are being implemented for the first time in the wider region.

As a result of the project, the representatives of the Roma Girl Association – Romani Cej decided to devote more attention and work to preserving the Roma culture and traditions and to work more on cases of discrimination and prejudice against the Roma population.

INTRODUCING REGULAR TRAINING COURSES ON GENDER EQUALITY, WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS AND WOMEN’S SECURITY NEEDS THROUGH A SYSTEM OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF RS MOI MEMBERS

Oct 27, 2019

INTRODUCING REGULAR TRAINING COURSES ON GENDER EQUALITY, WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS AND WOMEN'S SECURITY NEEDS THROUGH A SYSTEM OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF RS MOI MEMBERS

Supported by UN Women, United Nations Organization for Gender Equality and Women Empowerment, implemented by the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior Women Network - RS WPON.

On April 12, 2012 representatives of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior Women Network – RS WPON held a meeting with representatives of the RS Government Gender Center and the international organization UN WOMEN. It was agreed at the meeting that RS MoI Women Network and UN WOMEN initiate joint activities related to the training of RS MoI members on gender equality, i.e. the proposal was adopted that the UN WOMEN financially supported more activities to promote gender equality in the RS Ministry of the Interior, which would, among others, include preparing a curriculum and a manual for sustainable training of RS MoI employees. It was also agreed that UN WOMEN financially supported the first annual conference of the RS MoI Women Network – RS WPON.

On December 3, 2012 the “RS MoI Women Network – RS WPON” and UN WOMEN signed an Activity Plan for cooperation on introducing regular training on gender equality, women human rights and women’s security needs through the system of professional (specialist) training of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior members. The plan defines the activities, the operators, that is, the implementing staff, and a timeframe for implementation of activities. The RS minister of the interior approved the implementation of the abovementioned activities.

The Activity Plan for cooperation on introducing regular training on gender equality, women human rights and women’s security needs through the system of professional (specialist) training of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior members precisely defined the needs, activities, implementation timeframe (deadlines), the operators (members of the RS MoI Women Network who would be in charge of the implementation of the identified activities), and the budget the Association would have at disposal for each of the activities, provided by UN WOMEN.

It has been established that the overall objective of the cooperation is to introduce training on gender equality, women human rights and women’s security needs for employees of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior, primarily members of the RS Ministry of the Interior Women Network – RS WPON, which would result in awareness raising, acquisition of knowledge and skills and adoption of views on the importance of gender equality and on gender based violence among members of the Republic of Srpska Police. This cooperation and support would empower the Network to organize these trainings, attract as many potential members as possible, improve communication between the members and possibly develop skills related to donor funding among the members. The expected outcome is to have a more significant role and importance of the Women Network in the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Srpska.

The Activity Plan implied the following activities:

Development of a curriculum on “Women Human Rights and Security Needs of Women in Security Sector – Instructor Training”;
Development of a handbook on “Women Human Rights and Security Needs of Women in Security Sector”;
Training of future instructors;
Technical support to RS MoI Women Network – RS WPON;
First International Conference of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior Women Network – RS WPON.

The Activity Plan was signed on December 03, 2012 between the RS MoI Women Network – RS WPON and the UN WOMEN, which formally established cooperation between these two organizations and opened a way for implementation of activities agreed upon.

Curriculum

All training curricula implemented in the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Srpska must be in accordance with the Law on Internal Affairs of the Republic of Srpska, as well as the Rulebook on Professional Training of Police Officers and Other Employees in the Ministry, and are made in a modular concept (this concept is being applied since 2012/2013 school year and the Republic of Srpska Police Academy in the Republic of Srpska was the first to apply it in BiH).

Also, all training curricula that are regularly implemented (basic and specialist training) must be approved and signed by the minister of the interior and constitute a legal act (document) of the RS Ministry of the Interior.

The curriculum has introduced the modules that are a base for a training handbook for instructors, who will conduct the further training locally, that is, in their organizational units. More specifically, the curriculum constitutes the following sections:

Introductory part;
Purpose of the training;
Training objective;
Target group;
Training outcomes;
Specific training outcomes;
Training tasks;
Teaching methods and means;
Duration of training;
Training contents and
Transitional and Final Provisions.

The curriculum was signed by the RS Minister of the Interior on March 05, 2013.

Instructor handbook “Gender Equality, Women Human Rights and Women's Security Needs”

Handbook for instructors on gender equality, women human rights and women’s security needs has been prepared in accordance with the methodology set out in the curriculum, which is in accordance with the Law on Internal Affairs of the Republic of Srpska and the Rulebook on Professional Training, as well as with the international standards on protection of women human rights. It also includes the study of relevant laws and bylaws, and principles and standards of conduct for police officers and other employees of the RS MoI in the area defined by modules.

The handbook covers the following modules:

Module 1: Teaching Methodology

This module provides for future instructors to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills that are necessary for independent teaching or training in their organizational units. This module consists of the following modular units:

Principles of adult learning;
Teaching methods with adult trainees;
Communication and communication Drawbacks.

Module 2: Women Network and Implementation of the Action Plan for the Implementation of UN Resolution 1325

This module provides for future instructors to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills related to the tasks carried out by the entity ministries of the interior. This module consists of the following modular units:

Basic concepts of gender-based violence;
International and domestic documents;
BiH Action Plan for the Implementation of UN Resolution 1325.

Module 3: The Role and Importance of Police in the Investigation of Gender-Based Crime – Introducing the Principle of Gender Equality

This module provides for future instructors to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills related to the criminal aspect of gender-based violence, intervention, proving and proper documentation of these crimes, as well as interviewing victims of gender-based violence. This module consists of the following modular units:

Criminal law aspect of gender-based and sexual violence;
Intervention of police officers, proving and documentation of a criminal offense;
Psychological aspect of interviewing a victim of gender based violence.

This handbook is for future instructors who are members of the Network to carry out regular training at the local level, that is, in all organizational units of the Ministry, as well as for all members of the Ministry whose regular tasks are related to the contents of the handbook.

Training future instructors

The Activity Plan includes the training for future instructors (train the trainers), after which future instructors would acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes defined in the curriculum, the content of which is provided for in the handbook. These knowledge, skills and attitudes are necessary for trainers to further transfer the knowledge to other employees of the Ministry at the local level. It is supposed for training to be carried out at all Public Security Centers for reasons of economy, regularity and sustainability (if the training were to be carried out at the Police Academy, each arrival in Banja Luka would require the cost of transport, accommodation, food, etc. and several days’ absence from work, which significantly reduces the number of potential trainees).

It is also anticipated that the instructors are members of the Women Network from all basic organizational units, that is, Public Security Centers. Having Ministry members, who are also members of the Network, as instructors will contribute to the sense of belonging to the Network among all members, and to the actualization of problems and issues of importance for more significant role and status of women in a police force. Also, this type of training will lead to greater transparency in communication between members of the Network and among members of the Ministry in general, and will in a more open and honest manner present current issues related to the gender perspective.

Train the trainer on “Gender Equality, Women Human Rights and Women’s Security Needs” was organized on September 12, 2013 in Police Education Directorate for future trainers/instructors, members of the RS MoI Women Network – RS WPON, in accordance with the Activity Plan and with the support of UN WOMEN.

The training was delivered to 14 (fourteen) trainees, representatives of the RS MUP Public Security Centers.

The training was attended by 3 (three) trainees from PSC Bijeljina, PSC Doboj, PSC East Sarajevo and PSC Trebinje and 2 (two) trainees from PSC Banja Luka.

In addition to the trainees, the official start of the training was attended by RS Minister of the Interior, Radislav Jovicic, Police Director, Gojko Vasic, Regional Project Manager for Women, Peace and Security in the Western Balkans (UN WOMEN) Edwin Berry, authors of the handbook, and representatives of several media outlets from the Republic of Srpska, who reported on the event on television and in newspaper articles.

Technical support

The Activity Plan sets out that the RS Ministry of the Interior Women Network is provided with the technical support by the UN WOMEN related to the procurement and award of the following:

Five (5) laptop computers (for each Public Security Center);

One (1) projector (for training purposes at the Police Academy);

One (1) digital camera and

Fifteen (15) USB sticks.

Prior to the start of the training, in the presence of the RS Minister of the Interior and Police Director, the RS MoI Women Network was provided with technical equipment, as set out in the Activity Plan.

The equipment was distributed to organizational units of the RS Ministry of the Interior as set out in the Activity Plan.

The first international conference of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior Women Network - RS WPON

The first international annual conference of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior Women Network – RS WPON was held on December 10, 2012 in the RS Government Administrative Centre. The main purpose of the conference was to promote he RS MoI Women Network – RS WPON and the guidelines for gender sensitive policing. The guidelines were developed within the Southeast Europe Women Police Officer Network (WPON) with a special emphasis on recruitment, selection and professional development of women in police. The guidelines should be used as a manual for managers at all levels in a police force and they include a number of specific measures and improved ways of dealing with the recruitment, selection and professional development of women in police, primarily using existing resources and without major organizational changes.

The conference was opened by Indira Rogic, President of the RS MoI Women Network-RS WPON Assembly, Stanislav Cadjo, Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Srpska, and Vibeke Lilloe, ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to BiH.

Presenters at the Conference were Jane Townsley, president of the International Association of Women in Police (IAWP), Anita Wieman, senior advisor (coordinator) in European Network of Policewomen (ENP), Bojana Balon, a project coordinator in Southeast Europe Women Police Officer Network (WPON) and Sanja Sumonja a chairperson of the RS MoI Women Network Management Board. The speakers at the conference are also persons who are recognized in and outside the borders of their countries in their commitment to promoting women human rights, gender equality and, above all, to strengthening the role of women in the security system and peacebuilding. They are also professionally involved in this field and are recognized for their involvement both at European and international level.

Besides international representatives fromm IAWP, ENP, WPON, and Embassy of Kingdom of Norway to BiH, the conference was also attended by the representatives of MoI of Serbia, the Republic of Srpska Government, RS Government Gender Center, Ministry of Security, the City of Banja Luka, NGO “Women to Women” from Sarajevo and NGO “Future” from Modrica, UNDP/SEESAC, ICITAP, OSCE, UN WOMEN, representatives of equal opportunities committees and RS MoI.

The conference was an excellent opportunity to listen to the experiences of similar recognized associations from abroad, and therefore to adopt examples of good practice.

The conference, above all, helped domestic and international affirmation of the RS MoI Women Network as a recently established Association. It was a great opportunity to meet representatives of various institutions, associations, international and non-governmental organizations from BiH, the region and abroad dealing with gender issues, to exchange experiences in this field, to consider opportunities and to establish contacts for future cooperation.

Promotional materials (bags, flyers, pens, notepads, T-shirts and USB sticks) were provided for all conference participants. All conference costs (organization, translation services, lunch and refreshments for participants, promotional materials) were provided by UN WOMEN and UNDP / SEESAC.

Photo Gallery

SENSITIZATION OF POLICE OFFICERS AND EMPOWERING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE VICTIMS THROUGH A MULTISECTORAL APPROACH

Oct 27, 2019

SENSITIZATION OF POLICE OFFICERS AND EMPOWERING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE VICTIMS THROUGH A MULTISECTORAL APPROACH

Supported by the US Embassy to BiH and implemented by the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior Women Network – RS WPON

At the beginning of 2013, the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior Women Network – RS WPON applied for a call for projects announced by the US Embassy to BiH. The project concept was drafted and developed by the Network members in accordance with the RS MoI organization and needs related to the issue of domestic violence at the territory of the Republic of Srpska. The project has been fully accepted by the US Embassy to BiH and the RS MoI Women Network-RS WPON has been granted funding for the implementation of project activities over a period of 18 months related to: monitoring domestic violence, collecting data on domestic violence cases and victims, analysis of collected data, hiring experts and developing a brochure on domestic violence for police and victims of domestic violence, organizing training for police and victims of gender-based violence, and the final evaluation of the project.

The police director approved the signing of the project and the implementation of the project activities.

On June 7, 2013, the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior Women Network – RS WPON and the US Embassy to BiH signed a project “Sensitization of Police Officers and Empowerment of Gender-based Violence Victims through a Multisectoral Approach”.

The project “Sensitization of Police Officers and Empowerment of Gender-based Violence Victims through a Multisectoral Approach” was implemented from June 03, 2013 to December 03, 2014 at the territory under the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior jurisdiction.

In accordance with the Project Implementation Plan and Program, all basic organizational units of the RS Ministry of the Interior, i.e. all Public Security Centers, designated and assigned persons (analysts, members of the Network and expert personnel of police officers) to monitor domestic violence in the areas under the Centers’ jurisdiction. The parameters that the analyst-led teams have monitored over a 12-month period have been previously defined. Based on the results obtained, the teams in their respective areas identified victims of domestic violence who volunteered for education.

The education referred to the legal procedures, types of a judicial epilogue, legal assistance that victims can receive, getting familiar with the competencies and obligations of Social Work Centers, health and psychological treatments that can be provided to the victim, or to which he or she is entitled to, and the professional responsibility of domestic violence victim protection entities. The educations were conducted at the territories of all RS MoI Public Security Centers. The lecturers were a judge, a social worker, a doctor of family medicine and a pedagogue-psychologist. Representatives of ICITAP in Bosnia and Herzegovina participated at the educations as lecturers, too.

A questionnaire on the effectiveness of police officers’ conduct in cases of gender-based violence has been prepared and each victim will have the opportunity to complete it anonymously and it will be used to analyze the quality of police officers’ work in dealing with gender-based violence cases.

The police officers dealing with domestic violence cases have also undergone the education. What is important to note is that at least one police officer from each police station in the Republic of Srpska has received education under this project.

The project also includes developing and printing promotional materials – brochures for victims of gender-based violence and professionals (primarily members of the police) who deal with cases of gender-based violence.

Material preparation

Reporting forms and templates were developed and printed to monitor the conduct and documentation in cases of “domestic or family violence”, which were completed and filled in by police officers of the RS MoI. They include information about the incident, victim information, suspect information, symptom and internal injury data, modus operandi and causes of domestic violence, as well as additional information about the victims.

A questionnaire was prepared for domestic violence victims, which include information i.e. the victim’s answers about conduct of police officers, social and medical workers. These data are provided voluntarily by victims of domestic violence.

A template (table) for collecting data on domestic violence events (misdemeanors and criminal offences) for a period of 12 months (number of domestic violence events, number of misdemeanors, number of criminal offences, gender and age of perpetrators and victims of domestic violence, family relations between a perpetrator and a victim, presence of minors to violence, actions taken by police against a perpetrator and victim) has been prepared, too.

Project implementation guide

Given the complexity of the activities in this project and the number of RS MoI members included in the implementation of this project, the Project Implementation Guide has been developed. A meeting of the project coordinators with representatives of Public Security Centers, who were appointed by their superiors as coordinators of the teams established at each Public Security Center, was held on September 21, 2013. The team coordinators were introduced how the project was being implemented and how the data were collected.

Establishing domestic violence monitoring teams

In accordance with the Project Implementation Plan and Program, immediately after getting an approval for project implementation by the Police Director, teams were formed to monitor the events of domestic violence. They consisted of representatives of the Ministry from each police station at the level of the RS MoI Public Security Centers, as well as one analyst from each PSC in charge of coordinating all activities, totaling all collected data and providing them to the persons responsible for the project implementation.

A total of 72 Ministry members at the territory under the RS MoI were actively involved in the implementation of this project.

Collection of data on domestic violence events (misdemeanors and criminal offences)

In a course of 12 months (starting from July 2013, ending June 2014), in accordance with the previously established methodology, the data were collected on domestic violence events, such as: number of domestic violence events, number of misdemeanors, number of criminal offences, gender and age of perpetrators and victims of domestic violence, family relations between a perpetrator and a victim, presence of minors to violence, actions taken by police against a perpetrator and victim. These data were collected throughout the Republic of Srpska, in all organizational units of the RS Ministry of the Interior.

Support to marking 16 Days of Activism Against Domestic Violence

Within this project the contribution has also been given to marking 16 Days of Activism Against Domestic Violence. In November and December 2013, promotional posters “They do not suffer violence – neither should you” were printed and distributed in 87 organizational units of the RS Ministry of the Interior on the occasion of 16 days of activism against domestic violence.

Promotional posters have been displayed in all organizational units of the RS Ministry of Interior.

Hiring professionals to produce brochures for police officers and brochures for victims of domestic violence

The project envisages the creation of a booklet for police officers that will serve as a guide for police officers on how to properly handle domestic violence cases. The leaflet for victims of domestic violence is intended for victims and for informing them about their rights. Since the project is focused on a multidisciplinary approach, we have hired representatives of various institutions dealing with domestic violence to produce these brochures, namely the judge of the Banja Luka Basic Court, a graduate social worker at the Center for Social Work in Banja Luka, a specialist in family medicine Health Center in Banja Luka and psychologist educator from the Police Education Directorate in Banja Luka.

Brochure for police officers

The booklet is intended for police officers handling domestic violence cases and contains five chapters.

The first chapter deals with information on the Association of Women Network of the RS Ministry of Interior – RS WPON.

The second chapter deals with the processing of domestic violence cases, ie recommendations, evidence, preparation of witnesses to testify, acting in case of the victim’s dismissal of testimony, checking the existence of previous reports of domestic violence, checking misdemeanor punishment, psychological violence, and the charge of a qualified person. the form of the work.

The third chapter deals with innovative approaches to work with victims of domestic violence, that is, the role of social work centers (social protection services) in acute violence, and the description and analysis of the role of the mobile team in dealing with domestic violence cases.

The fourth chapter deals with the medical aspect of domestic violence, ie the consequences of violence on the victim’s health, clinical indicators – indicators of domestic violence, indicators of behavior of the victim of domestic violence, clinical signs of violence and influence on children and places of identification of victims of violence.

Chapter Five deals with the specificities of communication between police officers and victims of domestic violence, ie the principles of police officers’ treatment, and tips for improving the active listening of police officers when it comes to interviewing a victim of domestic violence.

Brochure for victims of domestic violence

A brochure for victims of domestic violence for victims of domestic violence consists of four chapters.

The first chapter deals with the empowerment of women victims of domestic violence and the professional responsibility of the protection subjects, and covers the notion of violence against women, the analysis of why women suffer violence and why they remain in a situation of violence, professional responsibility in domestic violence, and the general principles of working with an abused woman.

The second chapter deals with the victims of domestic violence cases and contains the provisions of the Misdemeanor Legislation (the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence), the provisions of the criminal legislation (the Criminal Code in the Republika Srpska), as well as the provisions of the Law on the Protection of Witnesses in Criminal Procedure.

The third chapter deals with innovative approaches to work with victims of domestic violence and contains information on centers for social work as victims of victim protection, a mobile team, how to protect victims on weekends and holidays, the obligations and duties of representatives of centers for social work in acute violence, placing victims in a safe house, paying the costs of sentence and court, granting custody of children and how to prevent gender-based violence.

The fourth chapter deals with the medical aspects of violence and the family and contains information on the consequences of violence on the health of victims, the role of doctors and other health professionals, the identification of victims of violence in the health care system, the actions of health professionals and their tasks.

Organizing education for police officers and victims of domestic violence

At the time of writing this project and applying to the US Embassy in BiH, the RS MUP had in its organizational structure five Public Security Centers (CJB Banja Luka, Doboj, East Sarajevo, Bijeljina and Trebinje). Subsequently, after the implementation of the project took a long time, another Public Security Center – Prijedor was formed. This CJB Prijedor was not covered by a plan to provide training for police officers and victims of domestic violence. According to the previously established Plan and Program for the realization of this project, trainings were planned for CJB Banja Luka, Doboj, East Sarajevo, Bijeljina and Trebinje.

However, due to the unfortunate events in Bosnia and Herzegovina during May 2014, that is, the floods that hit this region and the consequences that occurred in Doboj, the plan was changed, so that the education planned for victims of domestic violence from the territory CJB Doboj held for victims of domestic violence from the territory of CJB Prijedor.

The training topics for police officers at all Public Safety Centers were as follows:
– Domestic violence in criminal and misdemeanor cases;
– Innovative approaches to work with victims of domestic violence;
– Medical aspects of domestic violence;
– Specific features of communication of police officers with victims of domestic violence.

The topics of education for victims of domestic violence were as follows:
– Injured persons in domestic violence cases;
– Innovative approaches to work with victims of domestic violence;
– Medical aspects of domestic violence;
– Empowerment of women victims of domestic violence – professional responsibility of protection subjects.

In accordance with the project, professionals from different fields are engaged as educators:
– Judge of the Basic Court in Banja Luka;
– Graduate social worker at the Center for Social Work in Banja Luka
– Family medicine specialist at the Health Center in Banja Luka and
– Graduate Psychologist-Educator, Police Education Directorate, Ministry of Internal Affairs of RS.

The lectures were followed by discussions in which the seminar participants had the opportunity to present their experiences in working on domestic violence cases and to receive advice and suggestions on how to deal with them. Victims of domestic violence also had the opportunity to reflect on personal experiences, the actions of representatives of different institutions, and to receive first-hand advice and suggestions on the issues raised, most commonly in the field of legal regulation.

All participants of the training were given promotional materials (a block, a pen and a brochure for police officers on topics covered by the presentation made for the purpose of these trainings through the project). For the victims of domestic violence, brochures aimed at victims of domestic violence were prepared and distributed in addition to promotional materials.

Upon completion of the training, all participants completed the training evaluation questionnaires, which form an integral part of the overall evaluation of all training courses and the project as a whole. Two types of questionnaires were created – one for police officers and one for victims of domestic violence.

Dana 21.02.2014. The training for police officers of the Doboj Police Station was held at the Integra Hotel in Doboj. The training was attended by two police officers and officers from all police stations of the Doboj Police Station, ie a total of 18 police officers.

Dana 14.03.2014. An education for police officers on the topic of domestic violence was held at the Pirg Hotel, Stanišići, Bijeljina.

In addition to full-time educators, lectures for police officers and victims of domestic violence were delivered by Mr. Robert Myers, ICITAP Training Coordinator on Domestic Violence American Experiences. The training was attended by police officers from all CJB Bijeljina police stations, ie a total of 14 police officers.

Dana 15.03.2014. The Pirg Hotel hosted education for victims of domestic violence on domestic violence. A total of 9 victims of domestic violence from the territory of CJB Bijeljina attended the training.

Dana 25.04.2014. An education for police officers of CJB Trebinje on the topic of domestic violence was held. The training was attended by police officers from all police stations of CJB Trebinje, or a total of 13 police officers.

Dana 26.04.2014. The Platani Hotel hosted education for victims of domestic violence on domestic violence. A total of 9 victims of domestic violence from the territory of the Trebinje PSC attended the training.

Dana 05.09.2014. An education for police officers of the CJB East Sarajevo was held on the topic of domestic violence. The training was attended by police officers from all police stations of CJB East Sarajevo, ie a total of 13 police officers. In addition to regular educators, lectures for police officers and victims of domestic violence were also hosted by Mr. Charles Bennett, ICITAP Director on the topic – Women in Police – taking their place.

Meeting with RS Minister of Interior and ICITAP Director

Recognizing the magnitude and importance of the project on domestic violence implemented by the Women’s Network of the RS MUP with the support of the US Embassy in BiH, on 24.09.2014. representatives of the MUP RS Women’s Network were invited to a meeting with the RS Minister of the Interior. In addition to Minister Radislav Jovicic and a representative of the Women’s Network, the meeting was attended by representatives of the ICITAP program for BiH, headed by Director Charles Bennett. At the meeting, Mr. Bennett expressed his admiration, appreciation and strong support for the activities carried out by the MUP RS Women’s Network, especially when dealing with victims of domestic violence.

The RS Minister of Internal Affairs also expressed strong support for the project activities, as well as the Ministry’s commitment to continue supporting such and similar projects in the implementation of the RS MUP Women’s Network.