47 Peruvian Volunteers and Police Officers Learn to Provide Better Care to Victims of Violence

A training developed by IJM Peru and the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations

The training program called "Caring for the User, Caring for the Caregiver" benefited 23 volunteer from the National Aurora Program in Pucallpa, 17 police officers specialized in child protection, and 7 promoters from Yarinacocha.

During these workshops, participants learned how critical it is for them to manage stress through physical, mental, and emotional self-care. They also acquired new tools to provide sensitive support to victims of violence.

Diana A., head of the Family Section at the Yarinacocha police station, highlighted the importance of these types of workshops for police officers. She expressed: “As a justice operator, I believe it's very important that we are cared for, because if we are not well, we cannot provide a good service”.

Talking with police officers, Carla Moscoso from IJM Peru, emphasized “It is just as important to take care of the victim as it is to care for you”. She stated how essential it is for these professionals to feel supported to continue providing strengthened responses to situations of violence, ultimately promoting a more protective environment for children in Peru.

The second workshop was offered to volunteers who serve women and children who have been victims of violence. Highlighting the training's value and how stronger they feel with the knowledge they acquired, one volunteer expressed “What I enjoyed the most during the workshop is the topic of trauma, which is something that many families live with. Now I have the experience and knowledge to help each one of these families.”

Another volunteer said: “I have learned many things that I did not know, and that are going to be very useful in the work I do accompanying victims of violence...”.

A third volunteer shared “This workshop has strengthened me! ... I hope it is not the last one!”