22 police call takers undergo training in how to respond to GBV, Violence against children calls

The Police Department of Child and Family Protection has commenced a training set to benefit 22 call takers with skills on how to respond to cases of Gender Based Violence and Violence Against Children in a three-day workshop at Police headquarters, Naguru. 

The training was Tuesday opened by ACP Hillary Kulayige, the Deputy Director Chief Political Commissariat, who urged the officers to be courteous when they talk/ receive calls from the victims/reporters of Gender Based Violence cases.  

SSP Atuhaire Maureen, the Ag. CP Child and Family Protection Department said the toll-free helpline was established during the lockdown to enable increased reporting of GBV and VAC cases, provide psychosocial support to the victims, provide telephone counseling services to the clients and link clients in need of care and protection to services or service providers, following up of reported cases with the area police commanders and to raise awareness to the public on human rights, and collect data for policy formulation.

In May 2020, the Uganda Police Force with support from UN Women established a Gender Based Violence (GBV) Toll free Helpline (0800199195) through its line Department of Child and Family Protection.

This followed restriction of movement of people, which made it difficult for victims of GBV and VAC to report cases to police. Since its inception in May 2020 to June 2021, a total of 2040 cases have been reported and responded to.

On a positive note however, men are also using the helpline to report Domestic Violence Cases. The UPF management has plans to establish GBV helplines both at the regional and district levels in a bid to extend services closer to the victims/survivors of GBV and other members of the public.