Within the framework of the program «Overcoming Violence against Women and Strengthening Gender Equality in Armenia» held by Yerevan Office of the Council of Europe a new training course on violence against women and domestic violence was held in Tsaghkadzor.

A group of investigators, as well as employees of the RA Police of Ministry of Internal Affairs took part in the two-days training which was organized in the result of cooperation of Yerevan Office of the Council of Europe, the RA Investigative Committee and the RA Police of Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The training was aimed at enriching the knowledge and skills of investigators and police officers in the criminal-legal fight against violence against women and domestic violence, increasing the level of participants' knowledge of criminal justice mechanisms and legislative changes, contributing to strengthening cooperation with sectoral public organizations, based on the best international experience, European law and reformed national legislation.

Arsen Ayvazyan, Deputy Chairman of the RA Investigative Committee, Edgar Petrosyan, Head of the Department of Juvenile Delinquency and Domestic Violence Prevention of the RA Police of Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Liana Amirbekyan, project manager of Yerevan Office of the Council of Europe made an opening and welcoming speech.

The Deputy Chairman of the RA Investigative Committee particularly underlined the significance of continuity of such courses in terms of applying international and European standards in the performance of their daily duties, taking a victim-centered approach and overcoming the risks of re-victimization of victims of violence by investigators and police officers - law enforcement officers on the front lines of combating these types of violence. Arsen Ayvazyan assessed the cooperation with Yerevan Office of the Council of Europe and the projects implemented within its framework, effective.  

Obligations of the state in combating violence, international best practices, ECHR target cases, according to international and European standards, were presented by EC and local experts. Reference was made to the main investigative mechanisms for strengthening the prosecution within criminal cases related to violence against women and domestic violence, characteristics of the treatment to victims and victim-centered approaches. The participants got acquainted with the legislative changes implemented in the RA aimed at enhancement of effectiveness of fight against violence against women and domestic violence.

The participants of the course shared their experience, discussed practical issues.