In the period of January 29-30, 2025, a two-day sensitization training for specialists from the Pernik region was held at the International Youth Center – Pernik. The event was organized as part of the project "Trust for Our Children", funded by the Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation. Judges and prosecutors from the Pernik District Court and Pernik Regional Court, as well as representatives of the Prosecutor’s Office in Pernik and Kyustendil, participated in the seminar. They had the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in working with children in conflict with the law.
The training began with an introduction to the topic and the facilitators. Judge Zdravka Decheva-Zapryanova, Chair of the Kardzhali Regional Court, opened the seminar by sharing her experience of participating in similar sensitization trainings and how the court has improved its work with children who are victims or offenders.
The participants shared their expectations for the training, emphasizing the need for an open discussion on the topic of violence and the search for new approaches in working with children affected by domestic violence. Key focus areas included expanding knowledge, sharing experiences, and identifying effective methods for collaboration between different institutions.
The discussions during the training sessions were intensive and covered a wide range of topics related to violence and its manifestations, the legal framework in the context of domestic violence and its implementation, crisis and crisis intervention, as well as the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach in handling domestic violence cases.
During the experience-sharing session, participants agreed that victims of violence often do not seek help for a long time, which presents challenges for the justice system. Additionally, the discussion addressed the key factors that prevent victims from reaching out to the relevant institutions for assistance and support.
The second session focused on the importance of a protected environment for interviewing children. A prosecutor from the Kyustendil District Prosecutor’s Office shared successful experiences with the use of specialized interview rooms, also known as "Blue Rooms," for child-friendly hearings. Participants also discussed risk assessment methods in judicial proceedings, emphasizing the need for trained professionals to conduct these assessments, highlighting the crucial role of expertise in working with children.
On the second day of the seminar, participants analyzed the film "The Angry Man", which sparked deep reflections and discussions about the characters and their needs. Working in small groups, they examined the characters' behaviors and emotions and later presented their conclusions to the rest of the participants.
Despite a reduced number of attendees, the third session continued with active discussions and experience sharing, focusing on the dynamics of abusive-victim relationships.
The key conclusions from the two-day training highlighted the need for systematic education to help professionals build a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. Tolerance and openness between different specialists were also recognized as essential in handling specific cases. Additionally, participants emphasized the importance of sharing real-life cases from their practice, as this provides an opportunity to receive valuable guidance on achieving successful outcomes.
The sensitization training in Pernik demonstrated that such initiatives not only enhance the qualifications of specialists but also foster a network of contacts and mutual support, which is essential for the effective fight against domestic violence.