Training course to support abuse victims' access to justice

At the training course. Photo: UN Women/Le Phuong

Vietnam has taken many steps to ensure social welfare, protect human rights, particularly of women, and promote gender equality.

The country has set up community-based shelters, support centres, and gender equality consulting services for gender-specific violence victims. It has also promoted violence-free, friendly schools and safe cities for women and children to raise public awareness of the issue and reduce potential risks for women and children.

However, it is more challenging to tackle and intervene in sexual assaults against women and girls compared with other forms of violence, with victims often facing lengthy processes for their cases to be taken on or settled, which has further raised public discontent.

Sexual violence and harassment are often viewed as a sensitive topic that is difficult to share and discuss in public. Furthermore, prejudices against victims of sexual abuse have prevented them from being fully supported, not to mention negative judgments they could face for speaking out or seeking justice.

Through the training course, 60 delegates, including 32 men and 28 women representing the police, courts, procuracies of the Women's Union, legal aid centers, child sponsor associations in provinces, cities and some provincial districts of Ho Chi Minh city, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Long An, Hau Giang, Can Tho, Tien Giang, Binh Duong, Tay Ninh, Ba Ria Vung Tau have improved their knowledge of legal regulations and gender sensitive skills in resolving cases of sexual abuse and violence against women and children.

The training course is organized by the Ministry of Justice with the technical and financial support of UN Women to promote access to justice for women and children victims of sexual abuse and violence in Vietnam.

Tu Anh