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Description
Domestic violence experienced by women is an important social issue in Poland. According to the Polish National Police, in 2019 there were 88,032 reported cases of family violence, and the number of initiated ‘Blue Card’ procedures was 74,313. As our own data show, the number of cases in the Olsztynek Municipality was 3 times higher than the official municipal statistics. In June 2020, the local government office of the Warmian-Masurian Province carried out a survey to check what actions were taken within the ‘Blue Card’ procedure during the Covid-19 pandemic. The researchers also wanted to verify the information about the increase in the phenomenon of domestic violence during this period. 75 people representing Municipal Interdisciplinary Teams took part in the survey. Half of them found a high increase in the phenomenon of violence. According to 65% of the respondents, the current situation requires the introduction of new types of activities, including the implementation of specialist support for children and young people as well as strengthening cooperation between various institutions. It is also necessary to change social awareness of witnesses of violence. The aim of the project is to increase the engagement of the inhabitants of the Warmian-Masurian Province in activities aimed at preventing family violence. Within the project we will publish 3 publications dedicated to this subject. We will conduct a series of workshops for local authorities, representatives of police and health services, as well as for schools, in particular for children and adolescents from violent families. Moreover, 8 therapists will be trained on therapeutic treatment of perpetrators of violence with the use of the Finnish Jyvaskyla method. The project is implemented in cooperation with the Olsztyn Telephone Aid Association.