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Strengthening the prevention of domestic violence

This year Lithuania has seen fewer outbreaks of domestic violence than in the previous year, which were particularly high due to the quarantine during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the problem remains relevant, with a hundred and a half cases of violence reported every day. The Police Department's measures, such as the purchase of body cameras, a risk management information system and the training of thousands of officers, are expected to strengthen the prevention of domestic violence and to ensure that there are no first or repeat incidents. 

According to the Police Department, 55,800 reports of domestic violence were recorded in 2021, or about 153 reports per day. In the first ten months of this year, there were over 45,000 reports, or about 148 reports per day. In both 2021 and this year, around 5,000 pre-trial investigations have been opened. Around 3 out of 4 of the victims whose allegations are the subject of pre-trial investigations are women, and 3 out of 5 are city residents. Around 36% of the perpetrators of violence were neither working nor in education, while the number of those who had no education was less than half a percent. 

"In addressing the problem of domestic violence, it is important to work in all directions - to improve the working conditions of officers and strengthen their competences, to apply preventive measures to potential perpetrators, to ensure adequate protection for victims, and to improve the cooperation of national institutions. A lot of investments are being made in this area, and one of the measures taken is the project on improving the quality of work and strengthening competences of the justice chain. This project is being implemented from 2020," says Sandra Remeikienė, Head of the European Economic Area and Norway Programme Unit at the Central Project Management Agency (CPMA). 

The project is implemented by the Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior together with the Norwegian partner (Oslo Police District) and Lithuanian partners (Prosecutor General's Office and National Courts Administration). The project is administrated by the CPMA. A total of EUR 3 million from the Justice and Home Affairs Programme 2014-2021 funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. 

Project includes body cameras, information system, training 
According to Ingrida Kairienė, Project Coordinator, Chief Investigator at the Police Department, the project activities are currently being implemented intensively. "The project has concluded a purchase contract for body cameras. Officers will use them when responding to cases of violence. The body cameras will be useful for analysing situations and collecting evidence. Often, the courts also request footage," says Kairienė, adding that the intention is to review at least 10% of the body camera footage when reports of domestic violence are unconfirmed. This will further ensure transparency in the work of officers. 

A risk management information system is also being developed to facilitate the work of police officers and to better identify those most at risk of re-offending. The system is currently being tested and a large team of experts is working on it. "Lists of potential perpetrators of violence are being drawn up to manage risks. Officers are instructed to visit families at higher risk according to the list and to apply preventive measures at least once a month", says Ms Kairienė. 

The project focuses in particular on strengthening the competences of officers. Over the next year, it is expected to train around 1,000 officers working in response units and around 140 community officers. The training will use video footage of possible situations, and will cover the recognition of violence and appropriate responses. While physical and sexual violence is more frequently occurring, officers will also be trained to recognise psychological (emotional) and digital violence. Such violence is much more difficult to identify and victims themselves are not always aware that they are being abused. Unlike physical violence, for which a single incident and medical reports are enough to prove a crime, in the case of psychological violence, a single incident is not enough under the Criminal Code, and the victim has to be systematically intimidated and harassed. 

According to I. Kairienė, officers will also be prepared for the new provision of the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence, which will come into force on 1 July next year. According to this new provision, the officers working at the place of accident will be able to impose a violence order, i.e. to evict a person who is a potential risk for a period of 15 days. 

The project also includes meetings between community officers and members of the local community and is expected to attract at least 50,000 people. Two workshops were held, bringing together officers, judges, prosecutors, pre-trial investigators, and partners from Norway to share experience. 

How to recognise violence and what to do? 
Violence is hard to spot, but can be betrayed by a change in behaviour. The police say that a person suffering from violence often complains of poor physical well-being, insomnia, suicidal thoughts, a tendency to abuse psychoactive substances and alcohol, avoiding socialising, lack of self-confidence, possible depression, feeling emotionless or frightened, and uncontrollable emotional outbursts. 

To help someone experiencing violence, it is essential to have support from the environment. Tell them you believe in them, keep in touch with them. You can agree on code words or numbers to help you understand whether the person is safe or needs urgent help. It is important to respect the privacy of the person who is suffering and their right to make their own decisions. Be a support for the person experiencing violence and help them to seek help, whether it is from the police on 112 or from specialised help centres. 

 

About the Justice and Home Affairs programme:  

 
The Justice and Home Affairs programme is strengthening the rule of law in Lithuania. Various measures of the programme increase the efficiency of the Lithuanian judiciary and prosecution service, improve the penal enforcement system, strengthen the competences of the judiciary and law enforcement authorities and inter-institutional cooperation in the field of domestic and gender-based violence, and improve the capacity of the police in fighting crime. In total, more than €40 million has been allocated to the programme for the period 2014-2021. The programme is operated by the CPMA and implemented in partnership with partners.

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