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Description
Specialists who work in various organizations, institutions and services that deal with the problem of violence agree that in Poznań insufficient assistance is given to victims of sexual violence. Institutional support focuses on domestic abuse and support for family members. There is no institution that specializes in providing support for people who are victims of sexual violence.Under the project, a local intervention and information center is set up in Poznań for women who experience sexual violence. The center will provide direct assistance with obtaining information, and assistance with psychological and administrative and legal issues for more than 60 women. Also envisaged are awareness-raising measures to train specialists working in institutions to which women who are victims of violence turn for help. Also, six workshops will be held on consent in intimate relationships for Poznań residents, as well as three WenDo workshops. A local public safety network will be set up, of a minimum of 15 originations, venues, clubs, cultural and public institutions in Poznań. These locations will affirm a commitment to ensuring that they are free of abuse, and to take action in the event of an act of violence.A number of working meetings will be held in the network, at which recommendations will be drawn up for improving public safety and providing support for victims of sexual violence. The project also entails measures to spread information: posting of materials on a website, a leaflet, and a conference on the safer sphere, countering sexual violence, and specialist support for victims of sexual violence.
Summary of project results
The project responds to the problem of insufficient support for people with experience of sexual violence. In Poland, institutional support is primarily focused on helping those experiencing domestic violence, but there is a lack of institutions that specialize in helping those with experience of sexual violence. Meanwhile, research by the STER Foundation (2016) shows that more than 40% of women have received unwanted sexual propositions, more than 41% have experienced harassment two to five times, nearly 20% have been harassed six to ten times and as many as 25% have been harassed more than ten times. The vast majority of cases of sexual violence (94.6%) have never been reported to the police. Women most often do not report sexual violence because they feel ashamed to contact institutions, are convinced that the police will ignore them, as well as that they can better manage on their own.
As part of the project, a local intervention and information point "MOCNA - strength and support center" was set up for women with experience of sexual violence from Poznan and the surrounding area. The point provided direct psychological and legal assistance to several dozen women. Training was organized for those working in institutions to which women experiencing violence report. There were also workshops on consent in intimate relationships, setting boundaries and shaping self-esteem, as well as development workshops to raise women''s self-esteem. Also part of the project were 3 assertiveness and self-defense WenDo workshops for women. Networking and information meetings were organized for institutions interested in forming a coalition for a safer public space, including organizations, venues, clubs, public and cultural institutions from Poznan. The meetings were accompanied by an online information campaign on safer public space.
A total of 42 people benefited from psychological and legal consultations. The psychological support was long-lasting and comprehensive - it included 10 to several hours of consultations, as well as empowerment and educational workshops. The Grantee''s offer filled a gap in the assistance offered locally to women after experiencing sexual violence. The project was also another step in the debate about the need to create safe public spaces, and the institutions participating in the meetings pledged to ensure that their places were free of abuse.