Twenty femicides have occurred since 2019, until today, in Cyprus, according to data released by the Advisory Committee for the Prevention and Combating of Violence in the Family (ACPCF), on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. According to the Commission, violence against women is the most blatant form of gender discrimination and inequality perpetrated in the context of gendered power relations between men and women.
A statement by the FACWC highlights that violence against women is one of the most widespread human rights violations around the world, with statistics showing it to be pandemic. Every day, around the world, 137 women and girls are murdered because of their gender by a family member, either a current or former partner. Femicide is the result of chronic, systematic abuse of a woman which culminates in this heinous crime.
The FCCBO, within its powers under the Family Violence (Prevention and Protection of Victims) Act 2000 (Act No. 119(I)/2000)
to "inform and enlighten the public and professionals by various means,
including special sessions, training programmes and
seminars",
in 2022 held a series of specialised seminars for
approximately 100 professionals involved.
Specifically, in compliance with Article 15, Training of Professionals, of the [BR]Istanbul Convention, the FEM-CBO in collaboration with the Mediterranean[BR]Institute for Gender Studies (MIGS) and the Cyprus University of Technology[BR]in the framework of the FEM-UNITED project for the Prevention of Femicide[BR]in Europe, organised specialised seminars for professionals from the Police, Health Services, Social Welfare Services, NGOs, Women's Home, Children's Home,
as well as the Cyprus Association of Social Workers.
The topics covered included basic scientific concepts, legal framework, risk indicators/risk assessment, avoiding re-victimization, linking gender-based violence with child custody issues, protective orders, cooperation protocols/procedures, case scenarios.
The evaluation of these seminars showed the [BR]professionals' satisfaction with the content and methodology of the trainings,[BR]as well as the need to continue a more systematic specialized training[BR]that meets their needs. In addition, a significant number of
participants expressed the urgent need for more practical
know-how, tools and training that they can directly apply in their
day-to-day case management. Participants also stressed the[BR] strengthening of internal supervision by their services, with the aim of[BR] safeguarding and supporting the practitioner.
It is worth noting that, the Council of[BR]Europe's Committee of Experts on Combating Violence against Women and[BR]Domestic Violence (GREVIO), in its report published on[BR]23/11/2022, stresses the need for measures to ensure a systematic,[BR]mandatory induction and in-service training for all[BR]professionals involved in all forms of violence against women, with[BR]particular emphasis on eliminating stereotypes and patriarchal attitudes that[BR]prevent effective protection and support for victims.
The training of professionals involved should aim at
understanding the profile of the female victim of violence, the complexity of the risk
she is at risk of, and the type of support she needs at a given moment.
Victims of violence resort several times to the services involved until
they reach the point where they are ready to escape the cycle of violence. The goal[BR] of professionals should be, through a victim-centred approach[BR], to "keep" the victim in the system, in order to support and empower them step by step to enable them to free themselves from the perpetrator. Violence is not[BR]an isolated incident, but is built up through years of[BR]systematic abuse, so the exit from it should be[BR]gradual, with careful steps and always with the safety of the victim in mind.[BR]It is no coincidence that the majority of femicides take place precisely at the [BR]moment when the victim is determined to leave the abuser.
The goal of professionals should be to find ways/options for the [BR]optimal safety and support of the victim, not whether the victim[BR]behaves in a way that hinders or facilitates the work of a professional.[BR]Effective protection and support of victims is based on an understanding[BR]of the phenomenon of violence and an appropriate approach of professionals towards[BR]victims in order to avoid re-victimisation, which[BR]is enhanced through systematic specialised training.
Therefore, the FCCA calls on all ministries involved to promote[BR]both in-house and inter-agency training of their officials. The[BR]SACBO is at the disposal of all those responsible for cooperation/support/promoting[BR]trainings of the professionals involved regarding issues of violence against[BR]women and domestic violence.
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