The National Commission for Advancement of Women, Mothers and Children (NCAWMC) in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Public Security, UNDP, KOICA, Supreme People’s Court, and Lao Women’s Union held in Vientiane a meeting to disseminate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for response to violence against women and children in the Lao PDR on Aug 4.
The gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is a technical guidance document that aims to ensure that all survivors of GBV receive prompt and comprehensive response from service providers that meets their needs from the first point of contact onwards.
Attending the meeting included President of Lao Women’s Union Inlavanh Keobounphanh who also wears another hat as Standing Deputy Chairwoman of NCAWMC, Vice President of Supreme People’s Court Bounkhouang Thavisack, UNDP Representative to the Lao PDR Martine Therer, KOICA office country director Kim Myung-jin, and representatives of relevant offices.
The SOPs will serve as guidance for local authorities and sectors providing legal assistance such as individuals, legal entities and government organizations who deal with violence against women and children through providing assistance with respect to legal affairs, investigation and trial, and victim referral thus ensuring victims of violence get access to legal services that meet their needs.
It focuses on 1). the prevention of repeated violence both in the initial stage of contact and during a justice process so that the victims will not be re-victimised and 2). justice measures which include mediation and prosecution including investigation by police officers, trial by public prosecutor’s office and prosecutors, the responsibility of violators and settlement as well as post trial process of the justice and public security agencies.
It also specifies victim referral approach in justice process, including initial contacting, investigation by police officers, court trial and the implementation of court decisions, and this will help relevant authorities understand easily how to implement a justice process.
Source: Lao News Agency
