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The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Fostino Maele has reaffirmed State's commitment to building a justice system that responds to survivors of sexual and domestic violence with compassion, dignity, and a deep understanding of trauma.
The DPP made the pledge today when he officially opened a four‑day Trauma‑Informed Care capacity‑development workshop at Ufulu Gardens in Lilongwe.
Maele underscored the importance of treating survivors with dignity throughout the justice process and urged prosecutors to apply the knowledge and skills gained during the training in their daily work.
He stressed that survivor‑centred prosecution must go beyond securing convictions to ensure justice is administered lawfully and fairly, while respecting the humanity of survivors.
“Survivor‑centred prosecution is not only about achieving justice, but also about ensuring that justice is achieved lawfully, fairly and effectively, while upholding the dignity of survivors,” Maele said.
Reaffirming the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs' commitment, Maele pledged to continue working closely with International Justice Mission (IJM) to strengthen the capacity of justice sector personnel, promote trauma‑informed approaches in handling survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and ensure that survivors receive timely, sensitive, and effective support throughout the justice process.
The workshop is organised by the DPP’s Sexual and Gender‑Based Violence (SGBV) and Child Crimes Unit in partnership with IJM. It has brought together 21 officers from the DPP’s SGBV and Child Crimes Unit and the Police Prosecution Unit.
Facilitation is being led by experts from IJM’s Global Programmes Centre for Excellence: Pamella Masakhwi, Director of Social Services Programme, and Jen Riddell, Prosecution Programme Director.
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