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Description
The project aims to raise the level of knowledge, increase awareness and develop attitudes towards the phenomenon of domestic violence against the elderly and people with disabilities, and to increase the effectiveness of preventive, intervention and assistance activities in this area. The project will be implemented in the city of Katowice.
Meeting places will be adapted to the needs of the elderly and people with disabilities. The meetings will be organized in conditions that take into account the psychophysical limitations of the people participating in the meetings. The topics of the meetings and the way of presenting the content will take into account the special needs of the participants and different ways of acquiring knowledge. The topics discussed during the meetings and workshops will also address stereotypes and prejudices against the elderly and people with disabilities.
Activities in the project will be implemented in accordance with such values as: equality, respect for human rights, respect for dignity. Each participant has equal access to participate in the meeting/training, after expressing their willingness. The project provides baseline data broken down by gender. Equality will be taken into account and promoted at every stage of the project. The project itself will foster equal participation of women and men in its management. Teams of employees making key decisions within the project will also be gender-diverse. It is envisaged that more women will be supported than men, which does not mean that they are discriminated against. In the current assessment, it is women who are in a more difficult position and need more intervention. In addition, information and promotion will be of equality nature, the language will be sensitive to gender, various communication channels will be used, and the principle of equal opportunities will be monitored.
Summary of project results
The goal of the project "Blue Umbrella – violence protection program for elderly and people with disabilities" was to increase knowledge, raise awareness, and shape attitudes toward the issue of violence against the elderly and people with disabilities, as well as to improve the effectiveness of preventive, intervention, and support measures in this area. The project was implemented in the city of Katowice.
The "Blue Umbrella" project was designed to protect elderly individuals and people with disabilities from violence by increasing awareness and providing education. It organized educational and informational meetings in ten Social Welfare Day Homes across Katowice. The sessions covered topics such as recognizing violent behaviors, understanding available support services, and learning about human rights and equality.
The project also provided professional training for staff from Social Welfare Centers and crisis intervention units. These sessions focused on improving the skills of professionals in identifying cases of violence and effectively supporting victims. Additionally, public awareness efforts included distributing informational materials through social media, press, leaflets, and posters, and printed publications to reach a wider audience.
To conclude the project, a seminar was held at the Municipal Cultural Center in Katowice, where experts from various fields, including law enforcement and healthcare, discussed the project’s outcomes and future steps in preventing violence against vulnerable groups.
The project directly empowered elderly individuals and people with disabilities by enhancing their ability to recognize and respond to violence. A total of 288 participants, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers, took part in the project’s educational sessions. As a result, they gained practical knowledge about their rights and the resources available to them, increasing their sense of security and self-advocacy.
For professionals working in social services, the training strengthened their ability to identify and address cases of violence. This led to a more responsive support network and improved coordination among institutions involved in protecting vulnerable individuals.
A broader impact of the project was the shift in public attitudes toward violence against elderly individuals and people with disabilities. Through awareness campaigns and inclusive communication strategies, the initiative promoted equality and respect, fostering a more supportive community environment.
Furthermore, the collaboration between social services, law enforcement, healthcare, and legal professionals created a stronger, more interconnected system for addressing and preventing violence. By improving institutional cooperation and emphasizing long-term preventative measures, the project contributed to lasting improvements in safeguarding at-risk individuals.