About 80 representatives from the Costa Rican Social Security Agency (CCSS) will gather later this month to analyze the agency’s role in addressing different forms of violence facing communities across the country, said the state public health entity in a statement.

The event is part of an institutional program to standardize a public health approach to violence prevention at a time when different forms of violence are increasingly affecting the country.

From August 24-25, health officials from throughout the country will review their institutions’ competencies in relation to local violence prevention and management, and will examine their relationship with other entities dealing with the issues such as the Child Welfare Institute (PANI), the National Institute of Women (INAMU), the Ombudsman’s Office, and the Ministry of Education.

Officials said they will seek ways to work jointly with other institutions, and develop new tools to address situations of violence or potential violence, said Marlene Aguero and Noemy Portilla from the CCSS.

Part of the gathering will be dedicated to training on handling cases where sexual harassment, human trafficking, and/or sexual violence. A new approach has been drafted by the CCSS together with the judicial branch to use a special protocol for such victims within the first 72 hours of an incident’s report.

One concern expressed by a specialist in the area of violence prevention at the CCSS is that new forms of violence affecting certain communities is affecting the provision of health services as some providers have been threatened out of fear by criminals they will be reported, and also by saturating emergency services with complex cases.

Health officials also expressed concerns that the growing incidence of violent events, and their graphic reporting in the media, may lead the general public to become indifferent to violence.

At the meeting, case studies of communities which have had success in sensitizing the population on violence prevention will be shared such as experiences in Siquirres, Talamanca, Heredia, among others.