Officials conclude child abuse study trip to Norway

A Palestinian chief prosecutor and a senior police officer concluded a study trip to Norway to further improve cooperation between the two institutions in dealing with child victims and witnesses of domestic violence, a press release by the European Union's police support group, EUPOL COPPS, said on Friday.The aim of the three-day visit, which was coordinated and supported by EUPOL COPPS,  is  to become more familiar with best international practices on dealing with victims of child abuse, gender-based violence,  interviewing  witnesses and enhancing investigative skills, it said.The head of Family Protection Unit of the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) in Hebron and the Chief Prosecutor of Nablus were briefed by their Norwegian counterparts on best practices on how to deal with victims of domestic violence.They received a presentation on the Norwegian witness protection program including risk assessment, on child interviewing methodologies and visited the 'Children's House' where child interviews are conducted. They also paid a visit to Oslo Police District, the National Police Directorate and the Director of Public Prosecutions.The study trip, part of EUPOL COPPS plan to support the institutional development of the PCP and The Prosecution Office, will be followed by two training courses which will take place in January and in spring 2014 to enhance investigative skills  in the police and prosecution, said the press release.