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Regulation on Protection against Domestic Violence

UNMIK/REG/2003/12

(excerpts)

Article 14

Responsibilities of Law Enforcement Authorities

(…)

14.3 The law enforcement authorities shall use all reasonable means to protect the victim and prevent further violence, including, but not limited to:

(a) Informing the victim or the legal representative of the victim of his/her rights pursuant to this Regulation, including the right to request an interim emergency protection order pursuant to section 13 and the rights provided for under this section;

(b) Informing the victim about legal, psychological, social and other assistance services available from governmental institutions as well as from the authorised network of non-governmental organisations providing victim services;

(c) Informing the relevant service providers referred to in section 14.3 (b) of an incident of domestic violence and facilitating contact between the service provider and the victim, upon the request of the victim;

(d) Providing or arranging transport through another agency for the victim and the victim’s dependents to an appropriate medical facility for treatment and/or a medical examination;

(e) Assisting the victim in removing only essential personal property if the victim chooses to leave the shared domestic residence;

(f) Providing or arranging transport through another agency for the victim and, where appropriate, the victim’s dependents to a shelter or other suitable safe haven, upon the request of the victim;

(g) Providing protection, if possible, to the reporter of violence, in accordance with relevant legal obligations regarding protection of witnesses;

(h) In the case of a protection order or emergency protection order ordering the measure provided for in section 2.1(f), removing the respondent from the temporary or permanent residence of the protected party, or a portion thereof; or

(i) Providing the victim or the legal representative of the victim an official contact for an investigating officer within the law enforcement authorities should further assistance be required. In case of the absence of the investigating officer, any other officer within the law enforcement authorities will assist the victim.