A/RES/65/228
(c) To establish better linkages between health and social services, both public
and private, particularly in emergency situations, and criminal justice agencies for the
purposes of reporting, recording and responding appropriately to acts of violence
against women, while protecting the privacy of women subjected to violence;
(d) To design and sponsor sustainable programmes to prevent and treat
alcohol and other substance abuse, given the frequent presence of substance abuse
in incidents of violence against women;
(e) To ensure that violent acts and sexual crimes against children are
reported to the police and other law enforcement agencies when suspected by the
health and social services;
(f) To promote collaboration and coordination among relevant agencies and
services, including through the establishment, where possible, of specialized units
specifically trained to deal with the complexities and sensitivities of victims
involved in cases of violence against women where victims can receive
comprehensive assistance, protection and intervention services, including health and
social services, legal advice and police assistance;
(g) To ensure that adequate medical, legal and social services sensitive to the
needs of victims are in place to enhance the criminal justice management of cases
involving violence against women and to encourage the development of specialized
health services, including comprehensive, free and confidential forensic
examinations by trained health providers and appropriate treatment, including
HIV-specific treatment.
VIII. Training
20. Member States, in cooperation with relevant non-governmental organizations
and professional associations, are urged, as appropriate:
(a) To provide for or to encourage mandatory cross-cultural gender and
child-sensitivity training modules for police, criminal justice officials and
professionals involved in the criminal justice system on the unacceptability of all
forms of violence against women and on their harmful impact and consequences on
all those who experience such violence;
(b) To ensure that police, criminal justice officials and other professionals
involved in the criminal justice system receive adequate training and continued
education on all relevant national laws, policies and programmes, as well as
international legal instruments;
(c) To ensure that police, criminal justice officials and other relevant
authorities are adequately trained to identify and respond appropriately to the
specific needs of women victims of violence, including victims of trafficking; to
receive and treat all victims respectfully with a view to avoiding secondary
victimization; to handle complaints confidentially; to conduct safety assessments
and risk management; and to use and enforce protection orders;
(d) To encourage relevant professional associations to develop enforceable
standards of practice and behaviour and codes of conduct that promote justice and
gender equality.
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