Practical Advice for Specialists

Signs of Domestic Violence

There are several signs (general and individual) indicating that a beneficiary is experiencing domestic violence:

  • a) abused persons are anxious, hypervigilant, or fearful that they will displease the abuser;
  • b) readily comply with everything the abuser says or does;
  • c) constantly contact the abuser to report where they are and what they are doing;
  • d) are under strict surveillance, receiving frequent calls or messages from the abuser;
  • e) describe extreme jealousy, possessiveness, and continuous control by the abuser.

How to Recognize a Victim of Domestic Violence

Semnele abuzului fizic  pot ajuta la identificarea victimei violenţei în familie:

  • a) victims often present bodily injuries that they attribute to accidents (e.g., “I fell down the stairs”, “I bumped into a door”), avoiding further details;
  • b) frequently miss work, school, or social events with vague or evasive explanations;
  • c) wear clothing that conceals bruises or wounds (e.g., long sleeves in summer, sunglasses indoors, heavy makeup).

Indicators of Isolation Imposed by the Abuser:

  • a) isolated victims have restricted contact with family and friends, monitored phone calls/messages, and limited social involvement;
  • b) rarely go in public without the partner, who may display intimidation or threats even in public;
  • c) restricted access to money and shared assets, prohibition from working, or deprivation of earned income to reinforce financial dependency;
  • d) children are used by the abuser as tools of manipulation, guilt induction, or harassment.

Indicatori și factori psihologici care permit identificarea victimei  violenţei în familie:

  • a) low self-esteem caused by ongoing emotional and psychological abuse;
  • b) noticeable personality changes driven by trauma and anxiety (e.g., an outgoing person becomes withdrawn);
  • c) depression, intense anxiety, substance dependency, or suicidal ideation.

Abordări în interacțiunea  specialiștilor cu victima TFU la  referirea cazurilor şi/sau desfăşurarea interviurilor:

  • Maintain strict confidentiality of data regarding survivors and their relatives (names, ages, residence, photos, personal circumstances);
  • până la intervievare urmează a fi stabilit un contact  cu beneficiarul în felul în care acesta să fie convins că poate avea încredere în specialist, totodată, creându-se o atmosferă prietenoasă, în măsură să genereze confortul necesar pentru expunerea de către beneficiar a datelor sincere și obiective cu privire la experiența  de trafic prin care a trecut și impactul acesteia pentru victimă.
  • Obtain informed consent; explain the right to decline answering, pause the interview, or restrict data usage at any time;
  • victimele TFU necesită a fi informate despre caracterul necondiționat al asistentelor accesibile pentru ei (socială, psihologică, medicală, juridică…) și că  depunerea declarațiilor în fața organelor de drept și colaborarea în proces de administrare a probelor este un drept  al său și nu o obligație.

Interaction with Victims Must Prevent Retraumatization and Stigmatization

  • Demonstrate empathy, patience, and tact during interviews;
  • Avoid stereotypes and language that perpetuates them;
  • Avoid judgmental or blaming language;
  • Exclude sensationalism from survivor stories;
  • Allow survivors and children to narrate their experience at their own pace;
  • Allow for a holistic description of their experience;
  • Gather preliminary background on case specifics and safety risks before the interview;
  • Identify rehabilitation opportunities offered by government, international agencies, and NGOs;
  • Discuss assistance opportunities with the beneficiary and legal guardians to determine the optimal support plan.