City of Reykjavik: Human Rights and Democracy Office
Municipality/regional entity
Topics
Sub Topics
Intersectional Feminism
Contact
City of Reykjavik: Human Rights and Democracy Office
Description
The project Together Against Violence is in cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department, the Women’s Shelter in Iceland and the Health Centres in the Capital Area. The focus of the project to fight domestic violence by using a multi-agency approach.
Projects
Together Against Violence
In Iceland 22% of women aged 18-80 years old have experienced violence in intimate relationships according to a research. That is a scary fact in a country that is ranked number one in the World Economic Forum’s global gender gap report. Violence is costly for the society as a whole and it is estimated that violence costing Icelandic society 31,1 billions each year. It doesn’t only cost much in terms of money but has serious effects on the health and wellbeing of victims of violence and children that are raised in an environment where violence occurs.
In response to this situation the City of Reykjavik started in January 2015 a project titled Together Against Violence in cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department, the Women’s Shelter in Iceland and the Health Centres in the Capital Area. The focus of the project to fight domestic violence by using a multi-agency approach. As a part of that measure and if there is a child registered at the home where domestic violence is reported a psychologist, on the behalf of The Child Protection Department, and a social worker, on the behalf of the Welfare Department, accompany police officers to the scene. This procedure is followed up with a phone call within three days and by a visit by the police and the Welfare Department/social worker within a week and by further support. If there are no children on the scene people are offered the services of a social worker.
In this project, a special focus has been placed on people of foreign origin, people with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ people. Workgroups, with the relevant people taking part, have been founded in order to analyse the situation and make suggestions concerning how to better the services, in relation to domestic violence, for these groups.
Key person involved:
Halldóra Dýrleifar-Gunnarsdóttir the project manager of Together Against Violence