1. 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

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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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)

11. Thank you for your attention!
Sotia Nicolaou
SPAVO Programme Officer
Tel:
P.O Box: 20422, 2152, Nicosia Cyprus