The Calarasi Prosecutor’s Office officially opened a regional room for interrogating minors up to 14, victims or witnesses of sexual abuse, domestic violence, trafficking in human beings and other offenses. The room will be also used by participants from Straseni and Nisporeni. For the purpose, a number of specialists from the three districts were trained in questioning child victims-witnesses, IPN reports.

According to a communiqué from the Permanent Secretariat of the National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, the interrogation of minor witnesses in specially laid-out places is aimed at avoiding their re-victimization. The child discusses with a specialist in friendly and safe conditions, while the other participants in the process are in a separate room, outfitted with audiovisual devices that record and broadcast the interview live. Afterward, the recording is used as proof in the case. Such an interrogation method enables to obtain statements from children who suffered a psychological trauma without affecting them emotionally.

U.S. Ambassador to Moldova William Moser said the problem of child victims of abuse is complex and tragic. Society is expecting Moldova to continue to improve the legal framework in order to ensure better assistance to victims of violent crimes.

The interrogation room in Calarasi was set up at a cost of US$17,000. It is identical to the one that was opened last year in Balti, also with the support of the U.S. Department of State. The logistic support was offered by the International Organization for Migration’s Mission in Moldova, on the initiative of the Permanent Secretariat of the National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the Prosecutor General’s Office.