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Description
Data from various surveys shows that one in three women in Bulgaria has been a victim of domestic violence, which account for more than 38 000 women in Haskovo District (one in three women out of 115 346 in total as per the official NSI statistics for 2019). Against this backdrop, it is not more than approximately 300 women per year who seek help according to data gathered by our organization. The latter is a clear sign of the need to raise public awareness about domestic violence and improve cooperation between the organizations supporting the victims. The social isolation during the pandemic placed the victims of domestic violence in the particularly vulnerable position of being in constant contact with the abusers without being able to distance themselves or escape. The latter is proved by the high number of received domestic violence alerts and the high number of people who sought help from our organization (72 people in the period March– August 2020 compared to 48 in the same period in 2019). With the pilot use of the Coordination Mechanism for Help and Protection of Domestic Violence Victims, our organization plans to establish cooperation between all institutions and organizations at local level that are involved in providing support to victims of domestic violence. The information campaign and the planned training sessions held will increase the sensitivity of the public and the institutions about the issue and help provide timely protection to the victims. The target groups are the representatives of the Ministry of Interior, the judiciary, the prosecution, Social Assistance Directorates, Child Protection Departments, social services, NGOs, health institutions, schools and municipalities and the direct users will be victims of domestic violence.
Summary of project results
The project was intended to improve cooperation between all institutions and organizations in Haskovo district working in support of victims of domestic violence, to raise citizens'' awareness of gender-based issues communicating campaigns and advocacy on domestic violence and gender-based violence, and to increase the sensitivity of representatives of interested institutions and organizations. In this regard, within the framework of the project, a Coordination Mechanism for Support and Assistance to the Victims of Domestic Violence was developed and adopted, in which the responsibilities of each interested institution and local organization concerning the victims of domestic violence were scheduled. Through the posts made on the website, on the Facebook profile of the organization and local media, a wide range of people were informed of the project, the planned activities, and the results achieved. The level of citizens'' awareness was raised of the issues of gender-based violence and the necessary acts in prevention and protection of victims. The created printed and distributed leaflets contain information about the recognition of violence and its various forms, as well as where aid can be provided in case of violence. Together with 7 trainings conducted, communications and advocacy campaigns were also carried out on the topics of domestic violence and gender-based violence by increasing the sensitivity of 70 persons representatives of interested institutions and organizations. With the signing of the Coordination Mechanism for Support and Assistance to Victims of Domestic Violence, cooperation is ensured and regulated among the institutions and organizations in Haskovo district. The Mechanism also identified the rules for interaction between institutions regarding cases of domestic violence. A District Council for Protection and Prevention of Domestic Violence, which gathers representatives of responsible Institutions and active organizations at the local level – it will convene once in every 6 months under the auspices of the District Governor. The Coordination Mechanism has a long-term vision and ensures sustainability of the practices aimed at helping and supporting victims of domestic violence.