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Description
The main goal of the project is to strengthen and improve the services already provided in the Women''s Safe House and to expand its capacity by 15 places in the context of applying the minimum European standards for providing support and protection to women experiencing violence and their children. The project partner, the City of Nitra, will be responsible for the reconstruction of the premises, the building, which is located close to the already operated Women''s Safe House. The project is based on raising awareness of topics supporting respect for rights, gender equality, social inclusion of vulnerable groups and anti-discrimination. The project increases the awareness of the general public about the possibilities of assistance and effective prevention. Centrum Slniečko has also developed a transparent system for managing funds so that corruption does not occur.
Summary of project results
The main objective of the project was to enhance the quality of services provided at the Safe Women''s House and increase its capacity by 15 places. The Safe Women''s House is a social service facility offering professional assistance, support, and safety to women and their children who have experienced domestic or gender-based violence. Additionally, the project aimed to raise public awareness in the Nitra Self-governing Region about domestic and gender-based violence, the forms and means of available support, and to create a platform for sharing new information, skills, and knowledge on this critical issue, highlighting that there is a way out of situations as severe as domestic violence.
The project achieved several impactful relevant activities and outputs:
- Expansion of Services: The project stabilized and expanded professional services, with specific attention to the needs of children. It increased safe housing capacity for women and children in the Nitra Self-governing Region from 17 to 32 places, creating a space for comprehensive, high-quality professional assistance that helps victims gain self-confidence, integrate into society, find employment, and rebuild lives free from violence.
- Awareness Campaign: Through online platforms, a podcast series, and printed materials, the project raised public awareness about domestic and gender-based violence, focusing on available support options.
- Educational Activities: The project provided the professional community with opportunities to learn about effective practices for ensuring the safety of women and children and appropriate methods for working with this target group. Several educational sessions were held to strengthen the knowledge of professionals.
- Collaboration with Partner Organizations: The project facilitated meetings with cooperating organizations to enhance inter-organizational collaboration, aiming to provide comprehensive support for victims of domestic violence.
One of the educational activities of the project was education in the Kozmo and his adventures prevention programme for educational professionals. This prevention programme is a good established practice in Slovak context.
Good Practice: The Kozmo Program:
The preventive program "Kozmo and His Adventures" was launched by Centrum Slniečko in 2015, with generous support from The Velux Foundation. Built on the organization’s extensive experience and the expertise of its team, this program aims to prevent child abuse and raise awareness of the CAN (Child Abuse and Neglect) syndrome in an engaging and age-appropriate way for young children in Slovakia.
Program Overview
Kozmo and His Adventures targets preschool and primary school children, providing them with essential knowledge on personal safety, appropriate versus inappropriate behavior, and building trust in safe spaces such as home and school. The program combines storytelling with educational content, helping children navigate complex social situations and understand their boundaries from a young age. It also includes hands-on training for teachers and education professionals on recognizing and responding to signs of abuse, thereby equipping them with practical skills for creating safer school environments.
Key Components
The program includes a rich array of resources tailored to different audiences:
- For Children: Kozmo engages children through a storybook, animations, music videos, and interactive activities that convey messages on personal safety and respect. The program’s materials are designed to be accessible and relatable, giving children tools to understand and communicate their experiences. It has also been translated into Ukrainian to serve diverse communities.
- For Educators and Professionals: Teachers and caregivers undergo training sessions focused on the CAN syndrome and safeguarding standards. These sessions provide educators with tools to distinguish between regular conflict and abuse, assess risk, and develop safety plans. Training is often accompanied by collaborative workshops, allowing professionals to exchange experiences and best practices.
- Research and Continuous Improvement: Collaboration with research institutions, including the Slovak Centre for the Research of Ethnicity and Culture, ensures that Kozmo is informed by current best practices. Feedback from schools and kindergartens has been continuously integrated into the program to enhance its effectiveness and relevance.
Impact and Reach
The program has reached thousands of children and hundreds of teachers across Slovakia. Its dual focus on educating children directly and empowering educators to recognize signs of abuse establishes Kozmo as a comprehensive preventive initiative. By fostering early awareness and resilience, Kozmo helps create a safe environment where children can thrive without fear of abuse.
Future Developments
As Centrum Slniečko looks to expand its preventive impact, the team plans to adapt the Kozmo program for teenagers and young adults. This adaptation will address topics such as consent, personal boundaries, respect, and tolerance, providing youth with essential tools to navigate complex social interactions responsibly.
Through Kozmo and His Adventures, Centrum Slniečko exemplifies how thoughtful, research-backed preventive programming can make a significant difference in child protection and awareness in Slovakia.
The project delivered substantial results that benefited various groups:
- Women and Children: Through the reconstruction of a building provided by the City of Nitra, safe housing capacity was expanded from 17 to 32 places. This improvement allows more women and children to access safe and supportive housing.
- General Public: The awareness campaign, which included a seven-part podcast series called Lost available on Spotify and www.bezmodrín.sk, featured the stories of women who overcame domestic violence with help. The campaign also included 102 citylight posters and 900 information leaflets, increasing public knowledge on this issue.
- Professional Community: The educational campaign reached 237 participants, including employees of the non-profit organization, City of Nitra, kindergarten and primary school staff, the Nitra Regional Police Directorate, and third-sector organizations. Through 10 educational activities, these participants gained important insights and skills for supporting victims effectively.