Government, civil society representatives learn how to help survivors of domestic violence

Some 40 representatives from relevant ministries and civil society are learning how to offer assistance to women survivors of domestic violence in a two-day workshop which started today in Chisinau, organized by the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the Austrian Embassy in Chisinau, Info-Prim Neo learned from a press release of the Mission. Diana Doros, Deputy Head of the Department on Gender Equality and Prevention of Violence at the Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family, stated during the first workshop day that women who have become victims of physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence need free-of-charge assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, easy access to shelters and no time limit for stay, both for them and their children. "Learning from Austria’s experience can help Moldovan women’s shelters provide best possible support", said Diana Doros. Eugenia Benigni, Anti-Trafficking and Gender Officer at the OSCE Mission to Moldova, says it is key to help survivors re-build their lives with dignity. “We hope that both sides of the Nistru River will step up their efforts to fund shelters and services for women.” Maria Rösslhumer, the Director of the Austrian Women’s Shelters Network, describing the approach of her organization, said: “Our shelters in Austria are unique contact points for women that are threatened by violence. They are not just about providing a roof over the head and a safe place to stay. We are open for all women – women without documents, migrant women, minority women, disabled women, elderly women. We offer them and their children all-embracing support that helps them overcome their trauma, end the violence and regain self-esteem.” The workshop is the first of a series that will also look into men’s counseling services and their interaction with women’s shelters and entities that deal with perpetrators, the press release announced. The event brought together Austrian experts and representatives from the Moldovan Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family and the Interior Ministry, including police, the Ministries of Health, Education and Finance, as well as women’s shelters and civil society, including non-governmental organizations from both sides of the Nistru River.