Description
In 2012-2013 several laws have been created in Hungary with the aim of penalising intimate partner violence. Very limited data is available on how courts handle cases involving relationship violence. Analysing the impact of the laws is an important task, as it shapes general opinion and changes the attitude that blames the victim. The objective is to enable women victims to exercise their rights, to make court cases more open to the public and encourage public debates (court cases and decisions can be criticised). Methods: data collection, encouraging victims and lawyers to scrutinise the work of state institutions and forging partnerships with courts. The project has direct impact on the monitored courts and raises awareness of intimate partner violence cases among judges. Court watch will function as a form of feedback to the courts, it will orient victims and strengthen their position. Target groups: women victims of violence, lawyers, law students, judges, court employees.
Summary of project results
The reason of launching a court watch project was the fact, that there's no comprehensive data collection about how courts handle the cases of violence against women in Hungary. By hiring volunteers (civilians, including battered women), the program was designed to demonstrate how judges handle domestic violence cases, whether they treat victims of domestic violence humanely, applying professional standards or they blame the victims, use stereoptypes, make their problem invisible. Based on the project results in order to make the program feasiable in a long run the Association is planning to continue with a second phase by establishing a courtwatch movement with educational purposes aiming to support the victims during the proceedings. The project and its possible continuation was received with positive feedbacks by the domestic violence victims. The most important conclusion of the project that it is needed, it is pioneering within the history of civilian control of justice.
Summary of bilateral results