With the Support from EU Project Pravo-Justice, JurYem is Launching a Project to Implement a Victim-Oriented Approach in Cases Related to Gender-Based Violence

Within the framework of the grant provided by EU Project Pravo-Justice, which is implemented by Expertise France, Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association JurYem is launching a project aimed at building the capacity of the Office of the Prosecutor General and representatives of the criminal justice system to implement victim-oriented approaches in cases related to gender-based violence (GBV).

JurYem will focus on the practical implementation of the norms and standards enshrined in the European Union directives.

The project includes a number of analytical and awareness-raising activities. In particular, there is a plan to produce analytical materials to help prosecutors, investigators, judges, and lawyers better understand EU best practices regarding the protection of GBV victims and implement these guidelines in practice.

The project will also include five two-day training sessions. They will help law enforcement officers develop their skills in working with GBV victims, in particular by minimising revictimisation and building ethical and safe interactions.

“JurYem has been consistently working on the implementation of EU directives in the field of gender-sensitive justice. Our work focuses not only on analysing current legislation and proposing amendments, but also on building the capacity of practitioners working with victims of gender-based violence. That is why joint work with EU Project Pravo-Justice will focus on producing and disseminating analytical materials and training practitioners, which will benefit both practices and policies,” said Khrystyna Kit, Chair of the Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association JurYem.

“Implementing a victim-oriented approach in criminal proceedings is not only a matter of ethics. It is also a crucial factor for effective and fair justice. It is essential for EU Project Pravo-Justice to support initiatives that promote the implementation of European best practices in the field of victim protection. We believe that in cooperation with JurFem, we will not only strengthen the analytical framework, but also offer practical tools for prosecutors, investigators and lawyers who face challenges related to gender-based violence every day,” emphasised Oksana Tsymbrivska, Team Leader at EU Project Pravo-Justice.

Reference

NGO Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association JurFem is a community of women lawyers that offers solutions and their joint implementation to introduce better policies and practices in the field of gender equality. JurYem actively advocates victim-oriented and sensitive approaches in law-making and the justice system. JurYem was officially registered in September 2017.

Since the outbreak of the full-scale war, JurYem has become a source of support for victims of sexual violence and all forms of gender discrimination. Its members are women from the legal professions: lawyers, advocates, students, researchers, lecturers and law enforcement officers.

EU Project Pravo-Justice is an international technical assistance project implemented by Expertise France with financial support from the European Union.

After the victory of the Revolution of Dignity, EU Project Pravo-Justice became one of the driving forces behind promoting the rule of law in Ukraine, aligning Ukrainian legislative framework with European standards, developing a strategic vision for reforms, judicial reform, proper enforcement of court decisions, etc.