Moldovan cabinet approves regulation of free of charge phone assistance service for domestic violence victims

Chisinau, 19 July /MOLDPRES/ - The government, at a today’s meeting, approved  a regulation on the organization and work of the free of charge phone assistance service for victims of domestic violence and violence against women.  

The draft was worked out in accordance with the Council of Europe’s Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, from the viewpoint of ratification of this international treaty by Moldova. Nationally, a trust line for domestic violence victims, managed by a non-governmental organization, La Strada, was been working since 2009. During five years, the trust line provided consultations and received 7,857 calls both from the territory of Moldova and from abroad.    

The Labour Ministry considers that statistics shows “an urgent need to regulate the concerned service and, at the same time, ensure its sustainable work.” The regulation implies the providing of services, with information support and psychological counseling at phone, identifying victims and informing them about their rights. Also, victims are scheduled to be backed in crisis situations. The main goals of the Service are reducing the level of tolerance to the domestic violence and facilitating access to the system of necessary protection and assistance.      

The 2017 state budget law provides for financings worth 775,400 lei for the work of the Service, whose staff scheme envisages eight units, of whom six advisers.     

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor M. Jantovan)