NCJ Number
213336
Date Published
June 2005
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This newsletter of the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI) features the content and procedures of UNAFEI's 130th International Senior Seminar, whose theme was "Integrated Strategies To Confront Domestic Violence and Child Abuse," which was conducted from May 16 to June 23, 2005.
Abstract
Seminar participants were 9 Japanese and 14 overseas representatives. They included police officers, prosecutors, a judge, probation officers, correctional officers, a public defender, and other public officials. This seminar was offered because of the serious effects of domestic violence and child abuse on its victims over both the short term and long term. Although governments have made an effort to address these problems, they are still searching for more effective strategies. The seminar provided an opportunity for the sharing of information and experience among nations. It focused on how to develop a comprehensive plan that identifies the prevalence and nature of the problem and develops appropriate strategies to address it. An essential element of such a plan would be an integrated multidisciplinary networking that involves the cooperative management of domestic violence and child abuse through criminal justice agencies, health and medical services, educators, social services, and the community. Other issues addressed in the seminar were development of the political will to give priority to these issues and international collaboration with other governments and international agencies. Topics addressed in the seminar were primary prevention, intervention and the protection of victims, criminal investigation and sentencing, offender treatment, and an integrated approach. The seminar format included individual presentations, group workshop sessions, and visits to relevant criminal justice agencies. These activities are described, along with a listing of reference material distributed. This newsletter describes future UNAFEI programs and presents administrative news.