THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA’S COMBINED REPORT ON THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN & PEOPLES’ RIGHTS & INITIAL REPORT ON THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA FLAG has recently trained rural women as paralegals as well as conduct numerous sensitisation workshops. 2.6 Support to victims of domestic violence, including health services and psychological counselling. The Domestic Violence Act of 2013 provides for the rehabilitation of Offenders and Counselling and Integration of Victims. Currently the Shelter for the Elderly and Children in Bakoteh is the only place available providing shelter for victims of such forms of violence. However, the Domestic Violence Act provides for protection orders to be given to victims of domestic violence allowing them to remain in their place of residence without the perpetrator. It must be noted that the enforcement of the Domestic Violence Act is particularly challenging for law enforcement agencies. Due to deep rooted cultural practices among some communities, such cases are mostly unreported. Even where such cases are reported, prosecution of such cases become challenging due to the unwillingness of some families to subject themselves to the court process due to family and societal pressures. Notwithstanding, a number of sensitisation and awareness raising initiatives have been undertaken by the Governmental and non-Governmental organisations. The Ministry of Justice in collaboration with UNICEF has conducted a series of nationwide trainings for law enforcement officials on the handling of female victims of violence under the Domestic Violence Act 2013 and the Sexual Offences Act 2013. The Network Against Gender Based Violence (NGBV) embarks on awareness raising initiatives on the issue of gender based violence and there is also a One Stop Centre at the Shelter in Bakoteh where victims of gender based violence are provided with psychotherapy and counselling. The implementation started in earnest since these legal frameworks (Sexual Offences Act, and Domestic Violence Act, 2013) came into being. A Coordination Committee meets every quarter to review cases that were reported to the Ministry and the Women’s Bureau and recommends appropriate measures to address the cases 141