March 13, Chisinau - By the end of June, victims of domestic violence and sexual offenses will be able to receive life-saving services in a newly renovated Center administered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The first Family Justice Center in Moldova will offer people who have survived all forms of violence  a full range of services in a safe space. All services, which include provision of emergency medical assistance as well as psychological and legal counseling, will be provided in the same building, and specialists will be present in the Family Justice Center to provide comprehensive assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual violence 24/7.

The State Secretary Daniela Misail-Nichitin, together with the Representatives of the US and the IOM Chief of Mission, Lars Johan Lönnback, met to assess the progress of the construction works of the Centre.

Daniela Misail-Nichitin:
“For us, modernization also means prioritizing measures to combat violence against women and girls. Our status as a candidate country to be a member State of the European Union, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ roadmap for EU integration, led us to create modern services, including of combating gender-based violence in the field. The Government will approve shortly the Framework Regulation of the Family Justice Centre, drafted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Even though construction works have only recently started, the Ministry has pledged that the Justice Centre will become fully operational by the beginning of the second semester of this year”.

Lisa A. Johnson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law-Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the U.S. Department of State:
“I know that this Family Justice Center will provide high quality, survivor-centered services. I want to encourage the Government of Moldova to remain focused on supporting this initiative by promoting inter-agency collaborations and planning for long-term staff support.”

Laura Hruby, Deputy Chief of the US Diplomatic Mission in Chisinau:
“This Centre is a powerful symbol of what we can achieve through our partnership. We know that here the victims will be protected and supported in a way that will facilitate justice and provide safety for survivors of violence. We look forward to completing this project and working with all stakeholders and the people of Moldova to continue to support survivors of gender-based violence and build a future free of domestic violence”.

As encouraged by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a special budget line has been created in 2023 to run the Family Justice Centre with public money.

The Centre will be supported by the General Inspectorate of Police.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is in charge of the renovation of the building  of the Family Justice Center  and Te Doy Foundation is responsible for the establishment and piloting of the service. Both projects are  generously  supported by the  Bureau of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the US Department of State.

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For more information, please contact: 
Riccardo Severi, Communications and Public Information Officer, IOM Moldova 
rseveri@iom.int