1. UNITED NATIONS POLICE STANDARDIZED BEST PRACTICES TOOLKIT ON GENDER MAINSTREAMING POLICING IN PEACEKEEPING 1

2. UNPOL GENDER TOOLKIT MODULE 3 LESSON 4 ADOPTING A VICTIM-CENTRED APPROACH 2

3. This lesson includes 3 Definition of a victim-centred approach Rights of the victim Types of referral services Possible service pathways

4. Learning Outcomes 4 Outline the benefits of adopting a victim-centred approach Apply the guiding principles of a victim-centred approach Map referral pathways for police action in your field mission Discuss existing challenges and solutions to establish, work and maintain efficient coordination with victim support services

5. Structure of the lesson 5 Section 1: Victim-centred approach Section 2: Referral networks

6. SECTION 1: VICTIM-CENTRED APPROACH 6

7. Discuss with the participant next to you: How would you define the victim- centred approach? 7

8. Activity What are the benefits of using a victim- centred approach? 8

9. Benefits include, but are not limited to: 9 Expected Outcomes Avoids further harm and re-victimization Assists victim in making choices and seeking help, if desired Helps victims in coping with fear of negative reactions due to social stigma Empowers survivors, their families and witnesses Victims and witnesses are more likely to cooperate in the investigation if they feel safe and secure and their needs are understood and appropriately addressed

10. 10 The guiding principles Physical safety of the victim Confidentiality Respect for the rights of victims Non- discrimination

11. Always be aware of the security risks a victim might be exposed to 11 Physical safety of the victim Confidentia lity Be mindful to guard the information you receive to avoid threats, harm, or social stigmas Non- discriminati on It is key to treat all victims equally, independent of sex, background, race, ethnicity, or the circumstances of the accident Respect for the rights of victims Right to information, to choose, not to undergo treatment or intervention, to be accompanied, and the rights of the child The guiding principles

12. Activity – 1 st part Because victims don’t often trust institutions due to corruption and conflict-related issues, it is important to professionally respect their rights and treat them with dignity. 1.Get together in groups of 4 2.Read the role-play card assigned to you 3.You will have 7 minutes to perform the situation you received 12

13. Activity – 2 nd part Discuss the following questions in your group and organize your findings on a flipchart. Provide quotations from the conversation to support your opinions. -Was the physical safety of the victim ensured? How? -Was there any break of confidentiality? -How was the victim assured her testimonial and personal information would be confidential? -Which rights of victims were respected? Provide examples. [ ] right to information [ ] right to choose [ ] right to not undergo treatment or intervention [ ] right to be accompanied [ ] rights of the child 13

14. Expected Outcomes 14 “Do you have children?” “Do you have a place where you feel safe that you could go to?” “There is a non-profit nearby who offers shelter for people who went through what you have. Would you be interested?” “Does your ex-husband (the offender) still have the keys to the house where you are living?” SAFETY OF THE VICTIM CONFIDENTIALITY “The information you gave me will only be accessible to me.” “All your information is kept in locked filed, so please take your time and describe what happened as detailed as possible.” NON- DISCRIMINATION “You do not have to explain yourself. Regardless if your partner is a woman or a man, no one deserves violence.”

15. Expected Outcomes Rights of the victim 15 “The health unit nearby also offers therapy. If you are interested, you don’t need to have an appointment, just drop by every Monday early after 7 am. Make sure you are early as there are only 10 slots. ” RIGHT TO INFORMATION Make sure you are well-informed about the options for referral and their available services Be clear about your role and the type of assistance you can offer RIGHT TO CHOOSE Explain to the victim her/his rights RIGHT NOT TO UNDERGO TREATMENT OR INTERVENTION Understand that the victim has gone through a lot, but still holds capabilities to make personal choices Do not use verbal or non-verbal action that expresses any type of judgement if victim expresses a desire to not move forward with a legal actions “Would you feel safer in your friend’s house or in a shelter tonight?” “I can see you are uncertain of what to do. Are you ok? Would you like a break?”

16. Expected Outcomes Rights of the victim 16 RIGHT TO BE ACCOMPANIED Give contact information of non-profits which can assist victim during legal process Allow for the presence of families or friends if the victim expressed a preference for such “I can give you the address of a paralegal NGO which would accompany you and also assist you during the legal process. Would you be interested in that?” “I talk to lots of children about things that might be worrying them. It’s really important that you understand that you are not in trouble, I’m here to help and would like to talk to you for a little while. Is that ok?” RIGHTS OF THE CHILD Be aware for signs of neglect or maltreatment Before moving forward with any action, consult legal guardians Refrain from sharing information about victims without their consent TREATMENT WITH DIGNITY Show that you believe the victim, that you don’t question the story or blame the victim Do not make assumptions based on your own prejudices Monitor your language to not force the victim into acting or responding in a certain way “What you are feeling is very normal for someone who has been through what you have.” “If you want to stop at any time we can, just tell me.”

17. SECTION 2: REFERRAL NETWORKS 17

18. 18 Benefits

19. Activity: Referral pathway 1.Get together in mission-specific groups 2.In your field mission, what institutions provide support services for victims? 3.Label the cut outs and stick them to the flipchart. 4.Use the different colors of thread and scotch tape to trace the most common pathways victims take when looking for assistance in your field mission 5.Present them to the rest of the group 19 NGO ? Polic e Unit Court Health Unit ?

20. 20 Expected outcome

21. Activity – 1 st part In your groups, discuss – What are the challenges faced when establishing and working with referral networks in your field mission? Draw two columns on your flipchart. On the left, write “Challenges. On the right, write “Solutions” Fill the left column with the challenges discussed in your group and wait for the facilitator’s instructions. 21

22. Activity – 2 nd part As your instructor announces, your group will move to the next flipchart. – Choose two challenges – Write one solution to each on the right column of the flipchart – You will have 3 minutes – Game stops once your group reaches its own flipchart again Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4

23. Expected outcome 23 Checklist on how to establish and work efficiently with referral networks

24. FURTHER TOOLS Service Provider Contact Sheet template 24

25. FURTHER TOOLS Service Provider Form 25