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Description
This project responds to the growing problem of domestic violence in the Gniewkowo municipality. We offer support to women experiencing domestic violence, who are wards of the Municipal Social Welfare Centre in Gniewkowo and their children. Our aim is to help women acquire useful social competences, develop their parenting skills and learn to cope with life problems. As part of the project, we organise a series of workshops for women, covering parenting competences, personal development, coaching and stress management techniques, for a total of 120 training hours. We also run animation and therapeutic workshops for children, also totalling 120 hours. We provide individual psychological support for project participants and their children. With the support they receive, the participants will be able to make important life changes that will help them break out of the vicious circle of domestic violence. In addition, they will learn to cope effectively with their difficulties and avoid reproducing violent patterns in their relationships with their children and others.
Summary of project results
The project was a response to the needs reported by MGOPS Gniewkowo (social care center), which was suddenly deprived of the opportunity to help its clients, i.e. mothers and children affected by domestic violence. As observed by social workers, social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant increase in the scale of violence in the commune. At the same time, due to budget cuts caused by the pandemic, the institution was deprived of financial resources to help victims.
W ramach projektu zrealizowaliśmy trwający 5 miesięcy cykl warsztatów z zakresu kompetencji rodzicielskich, rozwoju osobistego, coachingu i radzenia sobie ze stresem, uzupełnionych indywidualnym poradnictwem i psychoterapią. Równolegle dzieci uczestniczek brały udział w zajęciach z animatorem. Łącznie zrealizowaliśmy 132h warsztatów dla kobiet, 120h zajęć dla dzieci oraz 120h indywidualnego poradnictwa i psychoterapii.
We achieved all planned results. At the end of the project, we noted a significant increase in the social competences of the participants and their children. Women''s parenting skills improved and their resourcefulness in life increased.
The participants'' communication skills improved, their ability to behave assertively and to deal with difficult emotions and situations related to parenting improved. There was also a reduction in the psychological effects of experienced violence among participants. The frequency of neurotic symptoms (fears, anxiety, depression, aggression, self-blame, excessive self-criticism) decreased, while the frequency of behaviors indicating greater openness in relationships and higher parenting competences increased.
The obtained results translated into specific, real changes in the participants'' lives. After many years of professional inactivity, 3 of them took up employment or took real steps to take up employment. Another 3 took action to stabilize relationships or enforce their rights with former partners/husbands.
In turn, the participants'' children gained interpersonal skills related to communication, dealing with emotions, setting boundaries and establishing relationships with peers. These are skills they will be able to use throughout their lives.