Cases of violence against women and domestic violence require a response from the justice system that is specialised, coherent, and victim-centred. In this regard, it is essential that justice professionals possess the knowledge and skills necessary for the effective investigation and prosecution of such crimes, including femicide.

Two specialised regional training seminars entitled “Particularities of investigating and examining crimes of violence against women, domestic violence and femicide” and “Women’s access to justice under the particularities of the provisions applicability of the Istanbul Convention” were organised in the municipality of Cahul. The events brought together 53 professionals (33 women and 20 men), including judges, prosecutors, and criminal investigation officers delegated to the specialisation process, who strengthened their professional practice and understanding of the phenomenon in investigating and examining cases of domestic violence and violence against women.

The seminars, held over three days, focused on the specific aspects of investigating and prosecuting cases of violence against women and domestic violence, in accordance with the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention) and national legislation.

The seminars are part of Module I of the National Specialisation Programme for justice sector professionals addressing violence against women and domestic violence, coordinated by the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV). As an initiative, the programme contributes to strengthening a professional, coherent, and effective response of the justice system, while also supporting the implementation of the Republic of Moldova’s commitments under the Istanbul Convention, taking into account the conclusions formulated by the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) in its Baseline Evaluation Report for the Republic of Moldova.

The activity was organised together with the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV), with the support of the Council of Europe project “Supporting the Implementation of the Istanbul Convention in the Republic of Moldova – Phase II ” and in partnership with the Women’s Law Center and the National Institute of Justice.