Description
In Slovakia, there is currently no program for perpetrators of gender-based violence applied. Research shows though that the key for eliminating gender-based violence is the change of perpetrator’s behavior through application of special intervention education program. The objective of this project is to decrease gender-based violence. During the project, 20 perpetrators are to be trained within the program to eliminate their gender-based violence. The program will offer counselling for women - partners of perpetrators. Moreover, judges will be informed and trained, the possibilities in current penal code will be shown to them and they will be motivated towards issuing participation in the program for the perpetrators. The project will set up the Intervention center, run program with two groups of perpetrators, provide counselling to perpetrators’ partners, run an informational/educational campaign for judges and professionals within the justice system. The beneficiary will be women – victims of gender-based violence. Donor partner is KTÁ – Karlar til ábyrgdar, Iceland. The partnership will achieve the transfer of know-how and cooperation on research.
Summary of project results
In Slovakia, there has not been any program for perpetrators of gender-based violence applied. Research shows, that the key to eliminating gender-based violence is to take a complex multidisciplinary approach, where the change of perpetrator’s behavior through application of special intervention education program is one of the key actions. The objective to start implementing such a kind of program in Slovak justice system was achieved. Based on the application of this intervention program, the prison system has created an internal guideline how to systematically incorporate this program into other processes in order to strengthen effectiveness of working with perpetrators of gender based violence. The main outputs delivered by the project were: - leading two groups of intervention programs for perpetrators of gender-based violence within the prison system - offering and providing counselling for partners of group participants - educating four trainers of the program - creating short movies as supporting material for the program - informing connected state institutions and organizations about the existence of the program Immediate result was the first two groups of perpetrators attending the program, results or achievements in the long term will show after the perpetrators will quit their sentences in prison. As our main target is the safety of women, who were experiencing violence in their relationships, the most relevant indicator of successful implementation will be the future reoffending rate of participants.
Summary of bilateral results
The non financial partner of this project comes from Iceland. After consultation with The European Network for Work With Perpetrators (NWWP) we were looking for a possible partner in our project. As the at most suitable we found Karlar til ábyrgdar (KTA) in Iceland. We aimed to get the chance to exchange experience with the partner and possibly learn from his experience on how to make the system work properly in order to help women, experiencing violent behaviour from their partners through effective and targeted interventions. We have telephoned with the partner´s chairman Mr. Andrés Ragnarsson and asked him for cooperation. After the (also written) agreement on cooperation several telephone calls followed. We discussed various programes for perpetrators, mutual experience, their succeses in Iceland and further issues also in the work within (NWWP). The situation of KTA in Iceland is rather complicated due to lack of financies. We were sorry not to manage meeting in person and we hope there will be another opportunity later.