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Description
The project focuses specifically on women in need of special counselling, safe space, relevant information and assistance. The goal of the project is the maintenance and increase the availability of free complex specialized services and care for women experiencing violence in partner relationships and for their children. Helping eliminate violence against women. The project partner provides special counselling and aid services to women and options for housing in the Woman´s safe house.
Summary of project results
The project "Safe Path out of Violence" aimed to address the pressing issue of gender-based violence, specifically violence experienced by women in intimate relationships. The challenge was to ensure the availability of specialized support services for women and their children affected by such violence, particularly in regions lacking comprehensive services. The project was implemented in the Žilina region by the recipient organization ŽENA V TIESNI and in the Prešov region by the partner organization MyMamy, o.z. The project’s primary challenge was to provide accessible, high-quality assistance to women experiencing violence, improve the professional skills of support staff, and foster inter-institutional cooperation to create a coordinated response to gender-based violence.
The project introduced a range of significant activities to provide support, training, and awareness:
Activity 1 - Specialized Services for Women Experiencing Violence and Their Children: The project offered comprehensive support to women experiencing intimate partner violence. Services included in-person counseling, crisis intervention, socio-legal counseling, psychological support, a crisis hotline, online counseling, and sheltered housing. In the Žilina region, ŽENA V TIESNI assisted 255 women and 18 children, while in the Prešov region, MyMamy, o.z. supported 103 women and 67 children. MyMamy provided 15 sheltered housing spaces for women and children.
Activity 2 - Program for Children Who Experienced Violence: This program provided support to children who witnessed or experienced violence at home, including therapeutic sessions using EMDR techniques and the "Mother and Me" program. In Žilina, 18 children (10 girls and 8 boys) received support, while in Prešov, 67 children (36 girls and 31 boys) were helped. MyMamy established a Montessori playroom and Snoezelen room, and ŽENA V TIESNI enhanced their playroom facilities.
Activity 3 - Education and Training: The project’s educational efforts focused on two areas: improving the skills of counseling staff and training collaborative institutions (such as police and social services). MyMamy held training sessions in the Prešov region for various police and social services units, while ŽENA V TIESNI provided training for police and social services in the Žilina region. Additionally, staff from both organizations completed nine specialized courses to enhance their competence.
Activity 4 - Public Awareness and Dissemination: ŽENA V TIESNI conducted three online campaigns on violence against women, children, and sexual violence. Various promotional materials (leaflets, business cards, mugs, lanyards, bags, pens, conference roll-ups, and brochures) were produced and distributed to social services and police departments.
Activity 5 - Multi-Institutional Cooperation: This activity aimed to strengthen collaboration among institutions involved in combating violence against women, fostering capacity-building for local entities. ŽENA V TIESNI organized six multi-institutional meetings in the Žilina region and collaborated on the "Žilina Region Action Plan" for combating violence. MyMamy organized four similar meetings in the Prešov region.
Activity 6 - Supervision: A total of 18 online supervision sessions were held for NGO staff assisting women experiencing violence. Nine organizations and 27 participants benefited from these sessions, which offered a space to discuss best practices and develop new strategies for dealing with challenging situations.
Activity 7 - New Counseling Branch in Ružomberok: On May 1, 2023, a new counseling center opened in Ružomberok, offering comprehensive support services to women experiencing violence and their children.
The project achieved impactful results that benefited various groups:
Results for Women and Children Affected by Violence: The project provided comprehensive support to women and children affected by violence, ensuring they had access to counseling, crisis support, and sheltered housing. In total, 358 women and 85 children were directly supported through specialized services. The introduction of child-centered programs, such as therapeutic playrooms, contributed to the emotional healing of young victims.
Results for Staff and Institutions: The training sessions enhanced the skills and competence of staff in both ŽENA V TIESNI and MyMamy, allowing them to provide more effective support. By training police and social services in dealing with cases of gender-based violence, the project improved the response capacity of local institutions, fostering a more coordinated and compassionate approach to assisting victims.
Results for Public Awareness: The online campaigns and dissemination efforts raised awareness about violence against women and children. By distributing educational materials, the project helped to shift public attitudes towards greater understanding and zero tolerance for gender-based violence.
Results for Institutional Collaboration: The project strengthened multi-institutional cooperation, particularly through the multi-institutional meetings and the development of regional action plans, which will have a lasting impact on local response frameworks for gender-based violence.