OVW Director Addresses Family Justice Centers: Emerging Issues Conference in Croydon, United Kingdom

On July 24th and 25th, OVW Director Cindy Dyer was a featured speaker at the International Family Violence Conference: Family Justice Centers' Emerging Issues in Croydon, England. The conference was hosted by the Croydon Family Justice Center, modeled after the family justice centers in the U.S. developed under the President’s Family Justice Center Initiative. The Croydon Family Justice Center, located just outside of London, opened its doors in 2005 and is the first family justice center in Europe. The Center provides access to comprehensive victim services including access to safe housing, childcare, court accompaniment, counseling, education, healthcare, language interpretation, and safety planning, all at one location.

Joined by OVW's Senior Policy Advisor Jan Langbein and Associate Director Susan Williams, OVW Director Cindy Dyer delivered remarks on the U.S. perspective on eradicating violence against women, "I commend Jill Maddison (Executive Director of Croydon Family Justice Center) and her staff at the Croydon Family Justice Center for the tremendous work they are doing to provide wraparound services to women and girls all at one location. Collaboration and coordination of prosecutors, law enforcement, legal assistance, and health care strengthens services to victims."

UN Security Council Resolution 1820

Highlighting the important work the United States is doing and expanding mutual understanding of issues facing women around the globe is a priority for the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).  One of Cindy Dyer’s goals as OVW Director is to establish new relationships and partnerships, both here and abroad, to continue to combat violence against women.

OVW Director Cindy Dyer attended the thematic debate at the UN Security Council addressing sexual violence against women in conflict and post-conflict areas chaired by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on June 19, 2008.  UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other world leaders attended the session to propose solutions to provide necessary protection and assistance for victims of sexual violence. 

UN Security Council Resolution 1820

Thematic Debate on Women, Peace, and Security; U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, United Nations Security Council; New York City, 6/19/2008

OVW’s Commitment to End International Violence Against Women

UN Office on Drugs and Crime Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
Vienna, Austria, April 14-18, 2008

“I was honored to serve on the U.S. delegation  as an expert on violence against women at the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.  It was a very productive dialogue and I was pleased to showcase the work of our field partners at this important forum.”    

OVW Director Cindy Dyer participated in the United Nations 17th Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Vienna from April 14-18, 2008.  Over 35 countries attended the Commission, focusing on how governments can curb violence against women and girls. The U.S. delegation to the Commission succeeded in negotiating a draft decision condemning all forms of violence against women.  The decision also requested UNODC to convene an experts meeting to review and update the “UN Model Strategies and Practical Measures on the Elimination of Violence against Women in the Field of Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (1998).”  The Government of Thailand offered to convene the expert group later this year. 

In addition, Director Dyer convened a Department of Justice (DOJ) National Institute of Justice (NIJ)-sponsored side event showcasing a new virtual training tool entitled, "Sexual Assault: Forensic and Clinical Management." Funded by the Office on Violence Against Women, this new virtual training tool trains health care professionals on how to perform medical forensic examinations that minimize trauma to victims.

Resources:

National Protocol on Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations

UN Office on Drugs and Crime Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

Opening Statement of the Government of the United States of America Before the 17th Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice , Ambassador Greg Schulte

Office of the Senior Adviser to the Secretary of State for Women's Empowerment

Office of the Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues (U.S. Department of State)

United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)

Family Violence Prevention Fund