TERMS OF REFERENCE AND TRAINING MANUAL FOR COMMUNITY SURVIVOR
SUPPORTERS
Namibia’s Combating of Domestic Violence Act 4 of 2003 gives extensive legal protection to those living in abusive situations. It covers not only physical abuse but also sexual abuse, economic abuse, verbal, emotional and psychological abuse as well as intimidation and threats. Unfortunately the law is not well known and the remedy of the protection order is not used throughout the country.
Coupled with an ignorance of the law, survivors of domestic abuse face many pressures such as cultural attitudes and family pressures. The challenge therefore is to support women and children to use the law and seek help to escape domestic violence.
In view of this situation the Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services, UNICEF, Ministry of Safety and Security and the Women and Child Protection Units decided to develop a programme to train members of community based groups as Community Survivor Supporters within a five year period (2006 – 2010). The PEACE Centre and Women’s Solidarity Namibia, in consultation with the Gender Research & Advocacy Project of the Legal Assistance Centre were tasked to develop the parameters of the programme. Together these three organisations have extensive experience of domestic violence in Namibia, counselling, the legal framework and training. More specifically PEACE and its partner organisations have the following brief:
· The development of a terms of reference / modus operandi of community lay counsellors
· Defining a referral system between community lay counsellors, the Women and Child Protection Units and other service providers
· Identifying of training themes with regard to dealing with cases of abuse
· Developing of a training manual for community counsellors
· Pilot training with community members
The pilot training of fourteen women from seven (7) different towns in Namibia was carried out during the week of 5-9 February 2007. Thus the consultants gained an excellent basis for reviewing the draft training manual. The final report, including the training manual, are expected to be completed by early April 2007.