Protection, Support and Services for Victims/Survivors

The OHCHR Women’s Rights and Gender Unit, established in 2006, continued the legal analysis with respect to access to justice for victims of sexual violence. An Expert Group Meeting on ‘Prosecution of rape and other forms of sexual violence’ was held in September 2007, with the aim to finalize an OHCHR legal position paper on the subject. Hide

A regional programme supported by IOM is providing assistance for the return and reintegration of trafficked women and girls, mainly exploited as domestic workers, throughout the region. Medical assessments are carried out in the shelters with special attention to HIV cases. Reintegration activities involve school support or income generating activities. IOM signed an agreement with the Colombian Ministry of Justice in order to develop counter-trafficking activities in the areas of assistance to victims and prevention through a hot-line. Hide

UNRWA’s Gaza Field Office undertook a gender equality initiative on domestic violence, including enhancing the quality of psychosocial support services and developing a hotline. Hide

In Kenya, UNFPA advocates for and provides counselling services for rescued girls who escaped from FGM/C or forced marriages to help them to return home without risking their health and well-being. UNFPA is working jointly with UNICEF on the prevention and treatment of sexual and gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).UNFPA promotes availability of services to victims of violence, including counselling for affected groups such as young people, pregnant women, the displaced and refugees. This entails strengthening referral networks, infrastructure and local capacity, including shelters, safe houses and legal and psychological services. Hide

OHCHR extends legal assistance to victims of violence and members of their families. In Côte d’Ivoire, OHCHR has initiated a series of high visibility activities on the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights of women as a tool to empower them in their efforts against gender-based violence. Hide

UNODC’s global project aims to build non-governmental support structures for victims of violent crime, including victims of trafficking in persons. UNODC’s technical assistance projects at the national level have supported One-Stop Centres for victims of domestic violence, particularly for women and children, in South Africa, where all government services (social development, justice, police, correctional services, education) and community-based organizations’ services are provided to victims/survivors in a coordinated and mutually reinforcing manner. Hide

WHO’s guidelines for medico-legal care for victims of sexual violence have been pilot-tested in Jordan, Nicaragua and the Philippines. Hide

In Northern Uganda, WFP works in particular with formerly abducted girls, providing support for counselling and facilitating their reintegration in the community of origin. In Côte D’Ivoire, WFP supports young girls raped by military groups and children born out of rape. Hide

IOM implements a cross border project at Beitbridge, Zimbabwe and a project for internally displaced persons in Colombia to assist returnees and facilitate their protection, particularly women, by building capacities of local entities and liaising with existing health facilities to ensure access to needed health services. Hide

UNRWA supports women’s programme centres in all refugee communities, where awareness-raising, support sessions on gender-based violence, and often legal advice, are provided to women. Women’s programme centres have kindergartens, where possible abuse of children and women occurring in the home can be detected and counselling and advice are provided in such cases. Violence against women and children is also addressed through theatre and role playing. Hide