The project is co-funded by the Rights, Equality and Citizenship (REC) Programme of the European Union Working Along Key Experts (WAKE) EU Rights Equality and Citizenship Programme

PROJECT MAIN ELEMENTS Main type of activities: Training activities Duration of the project: 18 months Start and end date of the project: 01/11/2015 - 30/04/2017 Total approved budget: 110.348 EUR EC co-financing amount: 88.278 EUR (80%)

PROJECT PARTNERSHIP Coordinator: Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family – SPAVO Partners/ Co-beneficiaries: 1: The Cyprus Red Cross Society (CY) 2: Enoros Consulting Ltd (CY) 3: The Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV - PT) 4: The Association for battered and Sexual Abused Women (ADAVAS -ES) Associate partners: Ministry of Justice and Public Order Ministry of Health Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance Ministry of Education and Culture

DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM Provision of insufficient support to victims of crime and violence in Cyprus; Lack of knowledge of the traumatical-psychological status and needs of a victim; Lack of training on related issues; Ineffective implementation of the national and EU legal framework concerning the access to justice; Lack of coordination on strategic level between responsible services.

IDENTIFIED CONSEQUENCES Disempowerment of victims to proceed in court trials. Inappropriate handling of cases Insufficient communication between the relevant services Mistreatment and violation of the victims’ human rights Unsatisfactory support services

PROJECT OBJECTIVES Overall aim to improve the real, day-to-day situation of victims of crime to the greatest extent possible and to reduce their discrimination experiences in Cyprus; Identification of the training needs of the professionals and practitioners coming into contact with victims of violence and crime and improving their capabilities via trainings; Exchange of good practices on identification and screening processes of victims and their needs; Sustaining a network and good working relationships between the involved actors.

TARGET GROUPS Key government professionals and other practitioners: Victims of crime and violence Police officials; Healthcare professionals; Social services officers; Educators; Legal servants dealing with these cases; NGOs or other organizations dealing with relevant issues.

MAIN PROJECT ACTIVITIES Undertake desk and field research so as to establish the current situation and system in Cyprus as regards to Victim awareness and training; Implementation of training for trainers on issues: access to justice for victims, issues linked with victims of domestic violence, victims of sexual abuse, immigrants and trafficking victims; Organisation of workshops and case studies for professionals and practitioners coming into contact with victims of crime and violence in Cyprus. Formulation of a Screening Victim Identification Tool (SVIT) and Guidelines.

EXPECTED RESULTS/IMPACT Improvement of the quality of services provided by professionals when dealing with victims of violence and crime; Enhancement of education and knowledge of practitioners in the field; Ensure and safeguard better access to justice and information provided to all victims by the authorities; Strengthen inter- services cooperation between all relevant Ministries and exchange good practices that will help in shaping a more Victim support based system in Cyprus.

FINAL OUTPUTS/DELIVERABLES Main Outputs/ Deliverables: Needs Analysis Report Training material Training Seminar for trainers 5 Workshops for professionals 5 Case Studies for high level officials Screening Victims’ Guidelines Screening Victim Identification Tool (SVIT)

Thank you for your attention! Sotia Nicolaou SPAVO Programme Officer Tel: 22813118 P.O Box: 20422, 2152, Nicosia Cyprus Email: sotia@domviolence.org.cy