[:en]Socializing with the police [:]

[:en]The Center for Roma Initiatives in cooperation with the IPA Section Montenegro implemented 5 one-day activities called ,,Socializing with the police ” in 4 Montenegrin towns: Berane, Niksic, Podgorica and Tivat.

Activities were implemented in order to reduce prejudices and establish the “bridge of trust” between the police and young members of Roma and Egyptian communities aged 12-16 years, because this is the most risky period for entry into arranged marriage according to the principle of child's arranged marriage.

In the period from 28/09 to 30/12/2016, within the mentioned activities, 141 young members of Roma and Egyptian population had a chance to be acquainted with the work of the duty services in the Security Centers of the aforementioned cities, departments for juvenile delinquency and domestic violence, traffic patrols, detention facilities, border police, Airport and border crossing,, “Ilino brdo” Special unit of the Police – Team on horses and team with dogs.

Participants shown great interest in the mentioned activities, they felt free to ask any questions regarding the work of the police, they were interested in. In addition to introducing of the work of the mentioned police departments, police officers who coordinated the activities talked to the children on the problem of child arranged marriages and advised them how to act if they come to know that a marriage is arranged for someone, or if they find themselves in such a situation. They also indicated the importance of education. On that occasion, because of the shown interest of the children, police officers explained the procedure for entering the Police Academy in Danilovgrad, because a number of children showed a high degree of interest in attending the Academy, after finishing of school.

The aforementioned activities were carried out within the project,, Action against child contracted marriages in the Roma and Egyptian community “which is supported by the US Embassy in Podgorica.[:]