Training plays “key role” for intervention in cases of domestic and gender violence, says Andreia Cardoso
The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity stressed in Vila do Porto the importance of training the technicians working at Local Centres for Prevention and Combat to Domestic and Gender Violence to deal with the new situations arising every day.
Andreia Cardoso spoke at the end of a visit to the Local Centre for Prevention and Combat to Domestic Violence on Santa Maria Island, as part of the Government's visit to this island. On the occasion, she highlighted the Azorean Government's intention to reinforce the prevention and intervention among victims and aggressors.
“The reinforcement of these two areas involves technicians' skills to deal with new situations, taking into account that the social reality is not static and that challenges arise daily, so it is essential to have qualified people. Accordingly, training plays a key role,” said the Regional Secretary.
Andreia Cardoso attended a presentation held under the celebrations of the 10th anniversary of that Local Centre, designated as "10 Years, 10 Cases of Success," stressing the importance of the assessment that was made “so that we may be aware of our role and feel motivated to continue this work with two very relevant components.”
“On the one hand, the component of prevention is increasingly aimed at younger audiences, as advocated by the 3rd Regional Plan for the Prevention and Combat to Domestic and Gender Violence, so as not to perpetuate the realities they may have experienced at home," said the government official.
On the other hand, it is vital "to reinforce the intervention work with victims and aggressors, because only then will the victims feel comfortable to seek the help of technicians working at these centres to have their situation monitored and solved," added Andreia Cardoso.
The implementation of Local Centres for the Prevention and Combat to Domestic Violence was one of the measures provided for in the 1st Regional Plan for the Prevention and Combat to Domestic Violence. It was reinforced through the 2nd and 3rd Regional Plans for the Prevention and Combat to Domestic and Gender Violence.
On the island of Santa Maria, the Santa Maria Madalena Shelter has been the managing entity of the Local Centre since October 2010, also providing the Temporary Shelter and Emergency Centre to accommodate victims at risk with or without their children.
The Santa Maria Local Centre currently monitors 56 cases of violence or situations of domestic violence victims.