Handbook for the Judiciary on Effective Criminal Justice Responses to Gender-Based Violence against Women and Girls

This handbook is intended as a practical tool for the enhancement of the knowledge, skills and institutional capacity of the judiciary in handling cases of gender-based violence against women and girls (GBVAWG). It aims to: (i) sensitize the judiciary to recognize and overcome structural discrimination and promote gender equality, (ii) enhance standards and behaviors of judges and improve judicial performance, (iii) improve access to justice for victims of gender-based violence and reduce the risk of their secondary victimization, (iv) promote the sharing of the good practices introduced by criminal courts around the world to help ensure that women and girls, as complainants, receive adequate protection and support during the criminal justice process. It consists of three parts, namely (i) a discussion of the conceptual framework underpinning an effective judicial response to GBVAWG, (ii) the common challenges that judges confront in GBVAWG cases, and (iii) effective institutional practices to address GBVAWG.