The Polaris Programme has launched a series of training sessions for starostas from partner hromadas on their role in the system of preventing and combating domestic violence.
The first training took place in Zboriv, Ternopil Oblast, bringing together 25 participants from Buchach, Zboriv and Skalat hromadas.
During the training, Polaris Programme experts Nataliia Mamchak and Yuliia Savelieva worked with the starostas on:
- forms of domestic violence and key approaches to responding to it;
- the powers of starostas and the legal and regulatory framework governing their work;
- organising preventive and awareness-raising activities;
- developing general and specialised support services for survivors in hromadas.
During the practical sessions, participants analysed specific cases and practised how starostas should respond, applying a survivor-centred approach.
“For a starosta, it is important to strike the right balance: not to leave a person alone with their problem, while at the same time not exceeding the limits of their authority. This requires a clear understanding of where the starosta’s personal involvement ends and the responsibility of the police, social services and other professionals begins. Clearly defined roles help avoid losing valuable time and make it possible to build an effective response system in the hromada,” said Petro Savonchak, Head of Skalat Hromada.
The participants were also welcomed by Yaroslav Harandzhuk, Deputy Mayor of Zboriv: “Today, representatives of three hromadas have come together in Zboriv, providing a valuable opportunity not only to gain new knowledge but also to exchange experience. It is important that after the training, each participant returns to their hromada with a clear understanding of the next steps and is able to apply the approaches developed here in their daily work.”
The next training sessions in the series will be held by the Polaris Programme in Pyriatyn (Poltava Oblast) and Kazanka (Mykolaiv Oblast).
