ODARA. Cities without violence

The problem of combating domestic violence has been and remains acute in Kyrgyzstan. Unfortunately, each year about 10 thousand cases of domestic violence are registered throughout the country.

Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Kyrgyzstan in 2020 introduced a project to train and practice the ODARA questionnaire and to conduct a correction program for perpetrators of violence, first in Bishkek and then in the Osh region and Osh city.

What is the ODARA questionnaire? A risk assessment is a process of identifying and assessing the degree of danger in a specific situation. In cases of violence in family relationships, the likelihood of recurrence and exacerbation of such violence is assessed, as well as the possibility of lethal consequences. A systematic approach is used to assess risk factors, as well as appropriate methods and tools for risk assessment. In countries that have implemented structured risk assessment questionnaires, recidivism and domestic violence with serious consequences have decreased. It is important to note that the ODARA questionnaire allows government agencies to identify the risk of domestic violence and act in a preventive manner.

The working group, consisting of law enforcement, a social worker and a psychologist, has been working to combat domestic violence and was able to visit Landau and Mainz this September for an exchange of experiences. It should be noted that Dinara Ashimova, a deputy of the 7th Jogorku Kenesh, who initiated a law on amendments to some legislative acts of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of protection against domestic violence, sexual and gender-based violence also took part in this exchange.

"When amending the law on domestic violence, we introduce the principle of "whoever hits, leaves". We are introducing a warrant, if before it was three days, now it is 30 days, during which the perpetrator of violence must not approach the victim. We're also introducing a correction program into this law," Ashimova says.