CETS 210 – Violence against women and domestic violence, 11.V.2011 __________________________________________________________________________________ 2 Parties shall develop and promote, in co-operation with private sector actors, skills among children, parents and educators on how to deal with the information and communications environment that provides access to degrading content of a sexual or violent nature which might be harmful. Chapter IV – Protection and support Article 18 – General obligations 1 Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to protect all victims from any further acts of violence. 2 Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures, in accordance with internal law, to ensure that there are appropriate mechanisms to provide for effective co-operation between all relevant state agencies, including the judiciary, public prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, local and regional authorities as well as non-governmental organisations and other relevant organisations and entities, in protecting and supporting victims and witnesses of all forms of violence covered by the scope of this Convention, including by referring to general and specialist support services as detailed in Articles 20 and 22 of this Convention. 3 Parties shall ensure that measures taken pursuant to this chapter shall: – be based on a gendered understanding of violence against women and domestic violence and shall focus on the human rights and safety of the victim; – be based on an integrated approach which takes into account the relationship between victims, perpetrators, children and their wider social environment; – aim at avoiding secondary victimisation; – aim at the empowerment and economic independence of women victims of violence; – allow, where appropriate, for a range of protection and support services to be located on the same premises; – address the specific needs of vulnerable persons, including child victims, and be made available to them. 4 The provision of services shall not depend on the victim’s willingness to press charges or testify against any perpetrator. 5 Parties shall take the appropriate measures to provide consular and other protection and support to their nationals and other victims entitled to such protection in accordance with their obligations under international law. Article 19 – Information Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that victims receive adequate and timely information on available support services and legal measures in a language they understand. 7