Violence against women and abuse of children are recognized as grave human rights violations. This framework needs to be extended to recognize elderly and male victims; all interpersonal violence can represent a threat to democracy and social cohesion. The field of interpersonal violence typifies fragmentation in addressing human rights violations. Theoretical and practical links between the different aspects of violence have been neglected.
CAHRV aims to account for and overcome fragmentation in research, policy and practice, linking and building on networks for women, children and men. It is working to integrate parallel research discourses on violence and:
- unify a theoretical and empirical basis for policy
- survey a wide territory with a case study approach,
- establish and structure co-operation through sub-networks
- identify further sites of excellence.
In a practical perspective, CAHRV aims to:
- build a research foundation for recognizing good practice,
- make standards for services and interventions available on a European level,
- contribute to policy-related data collection,
- improve dissemination and co-operation with NGO’s, agencies and governments.