The Ministry of Internal Affairs has increased the staff of special forces to protect women and children from violence. Comment of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Just recently, the Head of State instructed the Ministry of Internal Affairs to restore the staff of special forces to protect women and children from violence. A policy on the specialization of women investigators in the investigation of crimes against women and children will be implemented. I support these solutions.

The elimination of violence against women and girls is identified as one of the 16 Sustainable Development Goals of States adopted at the UN General Assembly meeting in September 2015, where high-level delegations from 193 UN Member States endorsed the Post-2015 Development Agenda aimed at lifting humanity out of poverty and "healing" the planet.

Women and children, the elderly, and people with disabilities are most often exposed to violence, especially sexual violence or domestic violence. The crimes committed against them do not just infringe on the most precious human right – the right to life and deprive them of the opportunity to participate fully in society. Such crimes hurt the families of the victims, leaving an indelible mark on their psyche and family atmosphere, affecting their future.

Foreign experience, for example, in Canada, the United States, and France, shows the effectiveness of the work of local police officers and investigators with social workers and psychologists, and from the first minutes of communication with victims of crimes against the person or in emergencies. It would be good to expand programs for the protection of victims of violence, to create opportunities for the involvement of such specialists and the Kazakh police and investigators.

Women and children from socially vulnerable groups are more likely to be victims of violent crimes, and it is important to provide them with preventive social and psychological support. Unfortunately, in Kazakhstan, the turnout principle mainly applies, when a person in need must independently apply to the social protection authorities. For cases where a crime has been committed, such a mechanism is unacceptable. Together with the National Commission for Women and Family and Demographic Policy, we are raising the issue of reviewing approaches to the prevention of offenses, especially those related to domestic violence or against minors.

The factor of fear and social stigma of victims, especially if they are women or children, ignoring the psychological characteristics of the accused and victims negatively affects the quality of evidence and investigation, ineffective protection of victims. Therefore, I suggest that the Ministry of Internal Affairs study the issue of involving psychologists and social workers by police officers and investigators, taking into account the experience of their foreign colleagues. This approach will also help to increase public confidence in the police.

A source: https://www.facebook.com/100045704769392/posts/291187442414746/?d=n