Court monitoring of intimate partner violence cases

Project owner: People Against Patriarchy (PATENT Association)

Responsible person: Spronz Júlia

2016

2,000 Euro Prize

HU

Civil Society / Social Economy

What is it about?

The project aims to introduce the practice of court monitoring in intimate partnership violence cases, and to assure the quality of the legal aspects of victim support. We train students of law and psychology and civic volunteers; we compile training materials, and using the project results, we sensitize judges. We offer capacity-building legal trainings to NGOs working with victims of violence.

Appreciation of the Jury

The gender gap does not spare Lady Justice. In court, structural violence tends to succeed the direct physical or psychological violence perpetrated by intimate partners. Structural violence is very difficult to recognise. Innovative notably in its complexity, “Court Monitoring” intervenes in the judicial system in its broadest sense – it starts with the question how much more abuse I must tolerate, how good my chances are if I take my partner to court. Observing court proceedings is a means of control, of gaining in visibility. Behaviour of all involved will change. Subsequent institutionalised feedback will disturb established patriarchal patterns in a sustainable manner. That is more than necessary.