The publication “Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence: A Practical Guide for Police officers”, produced by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and National Police of Ukraine, updates a 2017 manual in response to important developments in Ukrainian legislation. The Practical Guide provides Ukrainian National Police with comprehensive guidance on how to address cases of violence against women (VAW) and domestic violence (DV) according to international standards and best practices.

The updated practical guide is aligned with applicable legislation on combating violence against women and domestic violence. Intended for practical application by police officers, it also features useful information related to the assessment of potential risks for victims of violence against women, the specificities of questioning child victims and witnesses of domestic violence, and international experience in the field of combating domestic violence. Contact data is also provided for violence against women and domestic violence hotlines and facilities where victims may seek assistance.

The guide also provides suggestions for the staff of other institutions implementing measures to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence. It can be a useful resource for representatives of public human rights organisations, scientific and academic staff, university students, as well as anyone interested in protecting the rights and interests of violence victims.

This guide was updated under the Council of Europe project “Combating Violence against Women in Ukraine (COVAW)”.