ASSESSING THE INFLUENCE OF VICTIM SUPPORT UNITS (VSUs) IN THE MALAWI POLICE SERVICE SUPPORTING GENDER BASED VIOLENCE (GBV) SURVIVORS. ACASE STUDY OF “MCHINJI POLICE VICTIM SUPPORT UNIT”, MCHINJI, MALAWI.

The role of the Victim Support Unit (VSU) of the Malawi Police Service in supporting survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) at Mchinji Police Station. The aim was to understand how the VSU assists survivors, identify challenges affecting its effectiveness, and suggest ways to strengthen its impact. A qualitative research approach was used, involving 30 purposively selected participants, including GBV survivors, VSU officers, community leaders, representatives from non-governmental organizations, and other key stakeholders. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and key informant interviews, then analyzed thematically to highlight the experiences and perspectives of both survivors and service providers.

Findings show that the VSU offers essential services such as counselling, legal guidance, referrals to healthcare and social services, and temporary protection. These services are vital for helping survivors recover, access justice, and navigate complex systems. Despite this, the unit faces significant challenges that limit its effectiveness. These include inadequate staffing, limited resources, insufficient specialized training, poor coordination with relevant stakeholders, and cultural norms that discourage reporting of GBV cases. In addition, many community members remain unaware of GBV laws and survivors’ rights, which further reduces the unit’s impact.

The study concludes that while the VSU plays a critical role in supporting GBV survivors, gaps in resources, training, and community engagement hinder its full potential. Strengthening resources, improving collaboration with partners, investing in specialized training, and raising public awareness about GBV laws are key steps to enhance the unit’s performance. Addressing these issues would allow the VSU to provide more comprehensive, survivor-centered support and make a meaningful contribution to reducing GBV in Mchinji Ultimately empowering the VSU is not only.