Press Release

The cooperation between the prosecutors and the victim coordinators, a crucial role in defending the rights of victims of violence and gender-based violence

Tirana, September 29, 2021. The role of the victim coordinator and the support to their work were the focus of the discussions held today at the round table among the representatives of General Prosecution, OPDAT mission and the experts of the field. 

At the opening of the activity, Mrs. Pranvera Pustina, Prosecutor and Director of Cabinet of the General Prosecutor evaluated the work carried out so far by the Sector of Assistance to Subjects with Special Status that only for the period January-June 2021 has provided assistance for 153 cases of victims of various criminal offenses.

"You need to be aware of your all-encompassing role, treating the subject with special status professionally, especially when they are part of the most vulnerable group in society, such as minors or women and girls who are victims of violence, harassment or rape. You should be committed to ensure the prevention of their victimization for the second time, which may occur by the perpetrator or other state actors during the exercise of their duties” - addressed Mrs. Pustina to the Victim Coordinators, reiterating the maximum support of the Prosecution institution to their mission in ensuring the respect for the rights of victims and witnesses of crime in the justice system.

The participants were, also, greeted by Mrs. Michelle Lakomy, Resident Legal Advisor at OPDAT Mission, US Embassy to Albania. The Victim Coordinators presented the success stories they have addressed during this period and discussed on the presentation of the Federal Prosecutor, OPDAT Headquarters Mrs. Chelsea Schinnour about the importance of the cooperation prosecutor-coordinator so as to have a successful criminal proceeding.