UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine, with support from the French government, delivered 6 vehicles to the National Police of Ukraine for mobile groups addressing domestic violence incidents in the Poltava region.
The handover is part of the second phase of the project "Supporting Police in Building an Effective Model for Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Response During Wartime and Transition Period." The project also includes establishing new police response units and mobile groups, training officers in survivor support, and implementing assistance protocols to coordinate with regional services and agencies.
“Every day we deal with domestic and family conflicts where police are the first responders. It is extremely important for the National Police to know and be able to resolve these conflicts. Thanks to this project, police officers succeed in resolving many problems that originate at the domestic level but are capable of escalating into much more severe consequences. And it is precisely these serious consequences that we are able to prevent.” — shared Anatolii Seredynskyi, First Deputy Head of the Department for Prevention, National Police of Ukraine.
The dedicated vehicles for mobile groups will strengthen the National Police of Ukraine's response capabilities and expand service coverage across 6 Poltava region communities. The vehicles will serve mobile groups in Horishni Plavni, Karlivka, Kremenchuk, Kobeliaky, Lubny, and Myrhorod.
"These officers arrive sooner, listen more attentively, and effectively guide survivors to the essential help they need. UNFPA is proud to be part of this vital effort. With the support of the Government of France, we have successfully trained 220 officers across Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, and Poltava regions to handle cases of domestic violence and conflict-related sexual violence with utmost care and professionalism. Even when the power is out or roads are damaged, these dedicated teams can still reach those who need them most." — Andrew Saberton, said UNFPA Deputy Executive Director for Management.
During wartime, violence against women and girls intensifies significantly, and due to prolonged destruction of social support networks and limited capacity of key services, access to vital services, including gender-based violence assistance, becomes much more difficult, leaving survivors alone with their abusers.
“We are committed to supporting Ukrainian society now and into its European future. Ukraine's strength comes from within — from the empowerment of its society and from strong, legitimate institutions that efficiently serve the needs of the population. Equipping police units to effectively tackle GBV and ensure survivors get help demonstrates France's commitment to building partnerships and empowering democratic institutions.” — Sébastien Surun, Ministre conseiller à l’Ambassade de France en Ukraine.
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Mobile response groups to domestic violence incidents are special police groups consisting of police officers who have undergone professional training and know how to provide effective assistance to survivors of domestic and/or gender-based violence. Currently, there are 58 territorial subdivisions and 65 such mobile police groups responding to domestic violence incidents in Ukraine.
The project "Police support for creating an effective response model to DV/GBV in conditions of war and transitional period" is being implemented by UNFPA, the UN Population Fund in Ukraine, in close coordination with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Police of Ukraine, with financial support from the French government.
