On 22-23 and 26-27 January, the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN), in cooperation with the Department for Social and Family Policies and the Professional Council for Social and Family Policies, organised a two-day training with social workers, including from Serbian ethnicity, based on the curriculum “Working with Victims of Domestic Violence: Treatment and Referral”.

Over the course of two days, participants took part in thematic lectures, structured discussions and practical exercises, which enabled them to deepen their understanding of approaches to the treatment, management and referral of domestic violence cases, in line with the legal framework and institutional procedures. Open discussions highlighted real-life field experiences and concrete cases encountered in daily practice, while group work created an important space for joint analysis, professional reflection and the generation of new ideas to improve institutional approaches and strengthen inter-institutional cooperation.

During the training sessions, participants had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of domestic violence, violence against women and gender-based violence, as well as the applicable legal framework and new developments stemming from national legislation and international conventions, including the Istanbul Convention. The role and responsibilities of social service professionals in case management were also addressed, including risk identification and assessment, case referral, and inter-institutional coordination. The training placed particular emphasis on a victim-centred approach, the protection of children who witness violence, and work with other vulnerable groups, including Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian women, LGBTQ+ victims, migrants and persons with disabilities.

Participants emphasised the continued importance of professional capacity-building, highlighting the direct impact trainings have on improving the quality of social services and on providing a more sensitive and coordinated response to victims.

“Trainings like this are very necessary, as they help us improve the way we handle cases of domestic violence”, said one of the participating social workers.

This activity is part of the project “Institutionalising Quality Rehabilitation and Integration Services for Survivors of Violence”, funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with the support of the Austrian Development Cooperation.