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Description
The applicant is the Diocesan Charity of České Budějovice (hereinafter DCHCB), which operates an Intervention Center (IC) in South Bohemia with branches in Č. Budějovice, Strakonice and Tábor. We follow up on the IC''s long-term experience and practice with the target group of victims of domestic and gender-based violence ("victims"). The project responds to 1) insufficient coverage of southern Bohemia with accommodation capacities for victims, 2) the need for therapies for victims, 3) problematic availability of legal representation for victims. We will establish a new unique center for the victims in the hinterland of the city of Č. Budějovice – Agatha Centre. This is the main project output. The center will provide psychotherapeutic, legal, accommodation and other services. It will comprehensively work with the family system of users (ie not only with victims), as it is based on, f.e., research. We aim to broaden the existing support for children and adults to improve the supply and availability of professional assistance in the unfavorable situation associated with violence in the South Bohemia, respectively in the Czechia. The center will be created by the reconstruction of the premises available to the DCHCB from the Roman Catholic parish of Dobrá Voda. We will materially equip the center and staff it with professional and operational employees. We will create a set of innovative methodologies for working with "victims" and we will focus on education related to domestic violence and dissemination of information about the center activities. The project is ready from 1 January 2022 and planned for 28 months. DCHCB has at its disposal the admin. and techn. background for project implementation, the project management and the professional guarantor, who cooperate during the preparation, implementaion and sustainabiliity of the project.
Summary of project results
With the project, the project promoter responded to the absence of a similar facility helping victims of domestic and gender-based violence in the South Bohemian Region. The project promoter managed to build the Agáta Center, which provides victims with a spectrum of services important for their stabilization and improvement of their situation in a life without violence. The biggest challenge was the reconstruction of the Agáta Center building according to the planned schedule and budget.
The focus of the project was the execution of construction works and the creation of conditions for the newly established Agáta Center. The centre was constructed, equipped with furniture and needs for therapy and started its operation. Psychotherapists, an occupational therapist, an integration worker (for foreign clients) and a lawyer were available to the clients. The project promoter also built a crisis apartment for the temporary accommodation of victims. Furthermore, the project promozer organized two conferences for the professional public in České Budějovice (2022 – Family Trap, 2023 – Witnesses of domestic violence). During discussions with primary, secondary and university students, the project promoter focused on increasing awareness of the issue of domestic and gender-based violence and preventing its occurrence. The project promoter also created methodologies related to the operation of the Center and prepared an analysis of free legal aid and advocacy for victims.
In June 2023, after the construction work, the project promoter officially launched the Agáta Center in Dobrá Voda. The Agáta Center helped 83 clients. The victims have the opportunity to use the services of the Agáta Center free of charge (psychotherapy, accommodation services, legal and other services), which helps them overcome a difficult period of life associated with violence. The building of the Agáta Center is wheelchair-accessible to the maximum extent. The Charity has intercultural workers available to work with foreign-language clients.