IN presenting HRMI research to an international conference in Klaipeda, Research Director Rokas Uscila raised the issue of a clear neglect of duty by police officers who fail to inform victims of their rights.
Innovations in the sphere of crime victims legal and social security were overviewed in the HRMI report presented by Dr. R. Uscila. He emphasized the half-fulfilled nature of legal provisions for crime victims established in the last four years (e.g. provision of legal assistance ensured by the state or providing damage reimbursement from the state crime victims supporting fund).
Dr. R. Uscila emphasized that all kinds of abuse against women and children are punishable including physical, sexual, economical or psychological abuse. However, in practice victims usually don’t get timely help and protection.
"A plan to implement new legal act obliging the offender to live separately from the victim is a rational step," he said. "However, the ineffective implementation of this plan is a matter of concern."
In the seminar which took place on September 22, 2004, Dr. R.Uscila also underscored the passivity of police officers. He stated that police officers avoid assistance to victims of domestic violence including provision of information. It is clear neglect of duty as according to the law officers should introduce the victim with her rights and ensure the realization of these rights, he said, adding that the officers should inform the victim, motivate to protect her rights and encourage to turn to nongovernmental organizations providing support.
The international conference “Prevention and help for women and mothers with children suffering violence’’ took place in Klaipeda on September 23, 2004. Dr. R. Uscila presented report “Infrastructure of help and support to crime victims in Lithuania: innovations and perspectives’’.
© 2012 Human Rights Monitoring Institute