Protection, Support and Services for Victims/Survivors

In Gaza, UNRWA is consolidating the services within the legal advice bureaus, while developing 5 ‘one-stop’ centres. In Syria, interventions have been consolidated in the ‘legal advice bureaus’ (LABs) in two areas (Yarmouk and Deraa) to add social interventions and counselling to the existing legal aid. A hotline service for victims was launched in May 2010. In Jordan, a national referral system exists and UNRWA is developing the capacities of the LABs to act as liaison mechanisms with the national structures (Family Protection Unit and Jordanian National Women Commission). In Lebanon, a referral system has been put in place in the Tyr region. Hide

UNRWA prioritized addressing gender-based violence in 2009 and is developing a systematic multi-sectoral approach to gender-based violence, which includes services provision, prevention, working with community leaders and participation in national advocacy efforts. To increase victims’ access to services, UNRWA is developing referral systems in its fields of operations. In West Bank, a pilot intervention of a community protection referral was developed with the support of the BirZeit University for the referral system in 9 camps (Kalandia, Jalazone, Duheisheh, Aroub, Doura, Aida, Al Azeh, Aqbat Jaber, Ein Sultan). This intervention is based on a concept of community protection 'committees', comprised of UNRWA staff, as well as a number of key community members. The purpose of the committees is to coordinate referrals both internally to UNRWA, as well as to external resources. Hide

In 2010, UNHCR and partners referred 83% of those who reported sexual and gender-based violence cases in camps for assistance. In urban settings, this was the case for 97% of reported cases. UNHCR operations put in place a number of innovative approaches to preventing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and providing comprehensive support for survivors. For example, in Burundi, it was agreed to use the hospital as a safe haven for SGBV survivors, avoiding the stigmatization that often results from having a specific shelter. In Yemen, safe accommodation is rented rather than having a specific safe house, in order not to isolate an SGBV survivor from the community. In Ecuador, UNHCR set up livelihoods programmes for SGBV survivors, including access to micro-credit. Survivors are also given access to legal assistance. Hide

With the support of UNDP Kosovo, five Legal Aid offices, became fully operational in Gjakove, Dragash, Ferizai, North Mitrovica, and Gracanica, providing legal aid services to residents. Hide

In Albania, UNDP supported the establishment of a community centre in Durrës to assist victims of domestic violence which provides free legal services, and a telephone hotline. A new programme entitled “Economic Empowerment of Women Victims of Domestic Violence” was launched in FYR Macedonia in March 2010. Under this programme, UNDP will assist victims by providing opportunities for self-employment and training for skills in demand in the job market. The project is part of the Joint UN programme “Strengthening National Capacities to Prevent Domestic Violence”, supported by the Government of the Netherlands and the UN Trust Fund for Elimination of Violence Against Women. Hide

UNIFEM, now part of UN Women, contributed to government funds for Tajikistan’s Girls’ Support Centre and supported advocacy and survivor support networks in Algeria, Argentina, Morocco and Uruguay. Hide

UNIFEM, now part of UN Women, continued to provide technical and other support, in the context of joint United Nations efforts, to service provision initiatives. Hide

With the Sexual Violence Research Initiative, WHO is supporting capacity building of health services to respond to the consequences of sexual violence in sub-Saharan Africa. Hide

UNRWA carried out a number of activities to build referral systems to improve victims’ access to services. The Lebanon Field Office began the implementation of their referral system in the Tyr Area and the Gaza Field Office drafted a referral system based on the services offered by the different programs. The West Bank Field Office is developing a family protection referral system and held several workshops to discuss principles and standards, also in 4 refugees camps (Dheisheh, Fawwar, Jalazon and Qalandia) in order to establish the referral system. The Syria Field Office is building the capacity of two legal advice offices in Yarmouk and Deraa camps to launch a “hotline” and offer social and legal aid to victims of domestic violence. Hide

In Somalia, UNDP continued to support the project “Access to Justice Project in Somalia” and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Hargeisa, Somaliland, now operates as a ‘one-stop’ location, where victims of GBV can receive medical care and counselling. In Democratic Republic of Congo, the project “Support Community Development for Women Associated with and Affected by Armed Conflicts” supports leadership development and economic empowerment of women associated with or affected by armed conflict. In Croatia, the project “Assistance in the Development of a Witness and Victim Support System” supports services for victims and witnesses of major criminal offences, including rape. Hide