“As the Chief of the Domestic Violence Section, I am pleased to see and support the works of the Gender Affairs Office within the KPS structure. Domestic Violence is an issue that crosses the boundaries of culture, ethnicity, social and economic status, and gender. We have strove to place, within the areas of our section, both male and female officers, office staff, and leaders. This gender mainstreaming has led to a work environment that is rich in ideas and support for our combined mission and has resulted in a team that sees, and respects, the importance of an equal and fair work environment for both males and females. As the Chief of the section, I invite you to share your thoughts and suggestions for improving our work environment.
In the Regional Coordinator’s Offices our personnel mix is currently about 50% male/female. These Officers (KPS and IPO) and Language Assistants serve throughout Kosovo as a point of reference for over 60 Primary Investigators that perform the investigations of reported domestic violence. Our sections, from the Chiefs office down, also provide training for new investigators, updated training for current investigators, and advanced training at the KPS Academy at Vushtri.”

“ I have worked with these issues and investigations for several years. This male against female crime is a crime against the women’s human rights and is a huge social problem. This costs society a lot of money in healthcare, social care, legal aid etc.
We know that the most crimes of maltreatment, threat and sexual abuse are not reported to police as a crime. In some research reports you read that only 15-20 % of these crimes are reported to the police. Therefore, it’s very important for the gender mainstreaming, that more Cases that are reported and investigated, more suspects are convicted for their crimes. Over time this will increases the equality of genders.
I also think gender mainstreaming is very important for future generations. We have to be focused on young males and females through information and education and by informing them of the consequences of Domestic Violence, the younger males won’t became perpetrators in Domestic Violence and that the younger females will have awareness of the men’s behavior that can lead to Domestic Violence. We have to spread new ideas and lectures in the schools for younger generations. The police also have to co-operate with other authorities, and volunteer organizations, which are working with victims and treatment of perpetrators.”

“Violence was born on the time when human was born, but in Kosovo it was invisible based in the traditions, or it’s better to say that there wasn’t adequate institution’s that were dealing with domestic violence. After the war this issue was expanded considering the new democratic system that is formed, UNMIK police and KPS police who gave the chance to every girl/women /boy or man to report domestic violence and the right for support.
Nobody until now could find the origin of violence. Domestic Violence unit is sensitive section, To work with family issues yourself you have to be aware of Domestic Violence, especially in Kosovo because of mentality, education, economic conditions, the lack of gender issues and support from families. A lot of trainings at the KPS Academy at Vushtrri are held , including trainings for investigation of Domestic Violence, human rights, basic trainings for investigators, the law etc.
DV unit are networking and cooperating with local and international organizations, shelters and NGO’s.”

The Domestic Violence Section Of the UNMIK CIVPOL launched a project on CHILD ABUSE last October 2005. Police Commissioner Kai Vittrup initiated the project. The project will cover all criminal acts committed on children which includes, but is not limited to, sexual abuse, human trafficking, physical injuries, and forced child labor. The Domestic Violence Section primarily deals with problems within the family but it has come to a view that there is a necessity to initiate a project which will cover all cases where the victims are children. Current realities show a necessity for a project of this type where police are able to systematically deal with the problems in proper coordination. It is necessary to have qualified professionals and an organized police structure to facilitate the cooperation of all segments of police work thus further promoting quality cooperation with Gos and NGOs for a successful fight and prevention of all criminal acts against children. To read more click here

• Convention rights of the child
• Adopted by the Security Council at its 4695th meeting, on 30 January 2003
• Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Resolution 1314 (2000) Adopted by the Security Council at its 4185th meeting,

General Information
Human Trafficking- An Operational and Legal Definition (based on Art. 139, Provisional Criminal Code of Kosovo)

1. Acts : recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons
2. Means : the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person.
3. Purpose: the exploitation of the victim- as specified in par. 2 of the offence description