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Description
The project aims to support evidence-based policy and to propose effective measures to improve the system of treatment of offenders of domestic violence (DV) and gender-based violence (GBV) in the contact with law enforcement agencies (LEA) and improve the situation for the victim by minimising the harm from a violent person. The project will, among others, map the current situation concerning DGBV offenders in contact with LEA, identify good practice (in the Czech Republic and abroad) and the shortcomings of existing practice in treatment with perpetrators, assess the impact of applied measures in the area of DGBV and formulate recommendations for a systematic treatment of DGBV offenders and systematic support of DGBV victims.
The project will, inter alia, include the following main activities:
- Description of the current state in treatment of DGBV perpetrators’ and DGBV victims’ support in the Czech Republic,
- Analysis of the current sanctions and other measures applied to DGBV perpetrators and provide a statistical overview of the application of such sanctions and measures,
- Recommendations for improvements in policy making in terms of a systematic approach to treat DGBV perpetrators and provide help for their victims and
- Presentation of research findings to relevant experts, professionals and policy makers to secure that they are familiarized with the research and analytical results.
Summary of project results
The project focused on the treatment of gender-based domestic violence perpetrators was a necessary addition to the picture of the solution to the problem of domestic violence in the Czech Republic. In particular, the criminal law level was a less explored area in this regard. It was desirable to map the practices towards perpetrators of domestic violence by the relevant authorities, to describe the current problems and to identify opportunities for improvement in relation to increasing the protection of victims.
1) Mapping of the current state of treatment of DN offenders in the Czech Republic and in selected foreign countries.
2) Analysis of the measures applied to domestic violence offenders.
3) Analysis of the needs of relevant actors.
4) Formulation of recommendations for the improvement of practice.
5) Creation and distribution of leaflets to disseminate awareness about working with violence in the Czech Republic.
6) Publication of the research in a comprehensive monograph and three articles in professional journals.
8) Dissemination of information about the project through: Website, newsletter, conferences, leaflets
The research was conducted using the following methods:
- Study and analysis of Czech and foreign sources and documents and literature
- Questionnaire surveys
- Meetings with experts in the field
- Collaboration with ad hoc experts
- Examination of criminal files in cases of domestic violence
- Interviews with perpetrators and victims
A monograph on system of treatment of domestic and gender-based violence was published. A set of recommendations were incorporated into the Domestic and Gender Based Violence Action Plan. Three articles were published in professional journals. The project afforded the opportunity to advocate for legislative amendments, specifically the proposal to inform the prosecutor about the expulsion of a violent person (draft amendment to the Police Act). Furthermore, it facilitated advancement of preventive measures, including the development of strategies for working with domestic violence perpetrators. Furthermore, the proposal entails amending the offence of Abuse of a Person Living in a Common Dwelling in accordance with the requirements of practice.