More information
Description
The main activities of the project, which the promoter will implement in the Bratislava and Prešov regions, are:
1. Capacity building and counselling for women experiencing violence in partnerships, expansion of specialised services for victims of sexual violence and support services for children
2. Therapeutic and support groups for women who have experienced partner and sexual violence and trauma
3. Awareness campaign on stalking, cyberstalking and technological security
4. Awareness-raising campaign on gender-based violence
5. Education for the professional public aimed at raising awareness of gender-based violence
Gender-based violence against women and their children is one of the most severe human rights violations. Eliminating its causes leads to the improvement of the position of women in all areas of their lives. In this sense, The promoter considers the presented project to be sovereignly focused on the development of gender equality and on the improvement of the position of women in society. Counselling will reflect on the specifics of individual vulnerable groups of women, as well as other activities will be available to all women regardless of age, race, religion, disability. Procurement of services within the project will be transparent and anti-corruption.
Summary of project results
In addition to expanding and providing standard services for women experiencing gender-based violence and their children, the project focused on the following issues and challenges:
The problem of stalking and cyberstalking has not been systematically addressed in Slovakia yet and there has been no widespread awareness of these forms of violence. Women and their surroundings, as well as the professional public, have had and continue to have problems identifying and addressing them. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the number of cases of violence against women, including stalking and cyberstalking. We have encountered increasingly sophisticated ways of misusing digital technologies to control and monitor current and former partners/wives or women who have rejected men. We perceived that at the same speed that these forms of violence are spreading, awareness of them and of ways to effectively fight back, to stop the perpetrators definitively and to achieve justice, is not spreading at the same rate. The activity responded to the fact that gender-based violence against women and girls is changing and evolving in the context of the use of technology, and that perpetrators can cause multiple harms through technology. The project has responded to this serious problem not only through the services we provide, but also through extensive awareness raising and skills development, i.e. training for the professions. At the same time, we have carried out campaigning and awareness-raising activities in these areas.
The second problem the project addressed was the less visible and therefore more difficult to identify and prove forms of violence, namely psychological and economic violence. The campaign targeting these forms of violence responded to women''s low awareness that violence against women is broader than just physical violence and that even in these cases it is violence.
Overall, the project aimed to empower women, increase awareness of violence, and support systemic change through education and advocacy.
Empowerment and Support Groups: These were organized as two main courses:1. Empowering Self-Defense for Women: A feminist-focused self-defense course addressing responses to various risks, including boundary violations, sexual harassment, and assault. 2. TRE Groups: Support sessions aimed at helping survivors process and cope with the trauma of violence, strengthening their sense of safety.
Counseling and Advocacy: Free counseling and advocacy services were offered, in collaboration with a law firm, to address emerging issues from campaigns.
Violence Documentation and Mapping: A pilot initiative mapped individual cases of violence, visually documenting the course of clients'' experiences.
Awareness Campaigns and Education:
- Stalking and Cyberstalking Campaign: Increased crisis line calls and outreach, supported by media and social media engagement. The campaign had a long-lasting impact, including an event at Slovakia’s largest shopping center and a brochure publication.
- Psychological and Economic Violence Campaign: Helped women recognize and address these forms of violence in their lives.
- Professional Education: Provided training on stalking, cyberstalking, and economic violence to build systemic understanding among professionals.
Within the project counseling and support services were provided to 429 clients, primarily women and their children affected by gender-based violence. Furthermore, awareness and education campaigns were presented within the project. One of the campaign was installed in the shopping centre and ran across 30 digital screens. Thanks to campaigns there was an increase in clients, particularly women impacted by stalking and cyberstalking.
In the group support initiatives, 75 women participated, gaining essential skills and support. Project promoter set up 10 support groups and organized 62 sessions for women who had either experienced violence or were at risk.
Good Practice Example:
Addressing Key Challenges in Slovakia
The Step into Safety campaign was created to raise awareness about domestic violence and the available support options for those experiencing it. In Slovakia, there is often a lack of accessible and clear communication on where women and children at risk can turn for help, as well as the necessary support to enable them to leave violent situations.
Many people still perceive domestic violence as a private matter, leading to its concealment and a lack of response from the community. The campaign, therefore, focused on educating the general public, dispelling myths, and supporting survivors in taking the first step out of violence. It placed particular emphasis on psychological and economic abuse, which are less visible but equally harmful, and cyberstalking, a growing form of violence in the digital space.
Methodological Approach of the Campaign
The Step into Safety campaign utilized a multi-layered approach, combining informational, educational, and mobilization strategies to achieve a broad societal impact. Key methodological elements included:
Clear and Accessible Information on Support
Creation of the website www.vykroctedobezpecia.sk, providing an overview of available support services, contact details for aid organizations, and step-by-step guidance on leaving a violent situation.
Easy-to-understand guides helping survivors and their loved ones recognize the signs of abuse and take concrete actions.
Multichannel Awareness Campaign
A visually impactful campaign placed in online spaces, media, and public locations.
Engagement with social media and influencers to spread information about domestic violence and available support.
Distribution of informational materials in hospitals, schools, social services, and public spaces.
Mobilizing the Public and Breaking Taboos
Organizing events and discussions that encouraged open dialogue about domestic violence.
Raising public awareness of the need to respond to violence in their surroundings and encouraging people to actively support survivors.
Collaboration with Experts and Organizations
Partnerships with non-governmental organizations providing support to women and children experiencing violence.
Cooperation with a marketing agency that contributed to the campaign’s strong visual and communication impact.
Key Outcomes and Impact of the Campaign
The Step into Safety campaign achieved significant results, contributing to increased awareness, higher rates of help-seeking, and destigmatization of domestic violence:
Increased Website Traffic – Thousands of people accessed information about support services and safe steps to leave a violent situation.
Expanded Awareness through Social Media and Media Outlets – The campaign reached a broad audience through targeted communication and media partnerships.
Higher Number of Inquiries to Support Organizations – Aid services reported an increase in requests for help and support from individuals experiencing violence.
Strengthened Public Perception of Domestic Violence – The campaign helped dispel myths and stereotypes about domestic violence and increased the willingness of the public to assist survivors.
Award-Winning Impact – The campaign’s main video won the prestigious Golden Nail award in advertising, highlighting its high quality and social impact.
Innovation of the Campaign in the Slovak Context
The Step into Safety campaign was exceptional in its focus on practical solutions – rather than relying on generic messages, it provided concrete support and clear instructions on how to leave an abusive situation.
Thanks to its emphasis on online accessibility of information, collaboration with experts, and public engagement, it became one of the most significant initiatives in the field of domestic violence prevention in Slovakia. The synergy between expert organizations and a marketing agency ensured that the campaign’s message was not only visually strong but also content-wise precise and effective.
The Step into Safety campaign provided a crucial model of good practice in communicating about domestic violence. Its strategic and multi-layered approach demonstrated that effective public awareness efforts can not only inform but also motivate action and real change. This campaign serves as an inspiration for future initiatives in domestic violence prevention and survivor support, both in Slovakia and internationally.