Haiti: UN organizes workshop for police to address problem of sexual violence

January 25, 2008 – (UN News) United Nations police have trained their Haitian counterparts serving in Jacmel on dealing with sexual crimes as part of a broader campaign to tackle the problem.

At a recent workshop, some 20 Haitian police stationed in Jacmel were sensitized about how to help the victims of crimes of sexual violence as well as how to deal with the suspects.

Participants discussed the different categories of sexual crimes, including rape and aggression, as well as procedural techniques for investigating them.

The workshop is part of a broader awareness-raising campaign being conducted by UN Police not only in Jacmel but also Marbial, Marigot, Cayes-Jacmel, Dekouze, La Vallée and Bainet.

In a news release, the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) said the workshop would help the Haitian National Police to better serve the victims of sexual violence.

In another development, MINUSTAH also announced the holding of a workshop on child protection earlier this week aimed at helping police and judicial officials to protect minors.

Held at the initiative of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the seminar attracted the participation of 60 police and two judges. Participants discussed Haitian laws as well as international treaties relating to the rights of the children.

“We want children to live better and blossom in Haiti,” said Gaston Sananes of UNICEF.

From:http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25412&Cr=haiti&Cr1=