A decision about protection, custody or contact can have a lasting effect on the safety of a victim of domestic violence and their children. How courts understand abuse and its impact on family life can therefore be crucial.

These issues were at the heart of a two-day training held on 29–30 September 2026 by the Council of Europe project “Aligning Laws and Policies with the Istanbul Convention” in cooperation with the Academy of Justice. 23 judges and prosecutors (13 women and 10 men) took part in the training, “Understanding Domestic Violence in Civil Law: Protective Orders and Family Law Considerations”.

The judges and prosecutors strengthened their knowledge and practical understanding of key issues related to the protection of victims of domestic violence, as well as family law matters with a direct and significant connection to violence against women.

Participants explored how protection orders and family law decisions can help safeguard victims and children. They also discussed how violence, trauma and gender can affect court proceedings and judicial decisions, including decisions on the best interests of the child, joint custody and contact arrangements.

By helping justice professionals recognise patterns of abuse and understand the harm they cause, the training aimed to support decisions that put victims’ needs and safety first. It contributes to more gender-sensitive and victim-centred judicial responses, in line with the standards of the Istanbul Convention.