Description
The construction of the first purpose-built shelter will offer increased and improved standards of accommodation, security and other supporting services to people who experience physical and psychological abuse and who are in danger from their immediate family environment. Violence can cause significant and long-term injuries, both physical and psychological, which are difficult to heal, especially for children. Children experiencing violent circumstances suffer severe consequences as their psychological and physical development might be affected. The Shelter will provide the children with a safe environment and opportunities to entertain and educate, while the Domestic Violence issue is being dealt with. Finally, programmes and counseling services will be offered to empower the victims, to help regain their confidence and psychological stability. Victims will be assisted in entering or re-entering the labour market in order to become financially independent. They will also be offered assistance aiming at their re-integration and repositioning in the society, after they have experienced Domestic Violence and broke the cycle of violence.
Summary of project results
I. The construction of the first purpose-built shelter in Cyprus for victims of Domestic Violence aimed at the reduction of Gender-Based and Domestic Violence. The shelter offers increased and improved standards of accommodation, security and other supporting services to women with their children, who experience physical and psychological abuse and who are in danger from their immediate family environment. In order to achieve the planned results, the promoter did the following actions: 1. Obtain the Construction Permit in November 2013. 2. Tender Action – Competition and Evaluation of tenders and signature of construction contract with the selected contractors; 3. Site supervision; 4. Construction Phase; 5. Staff Training 6. Equipment and Furnishing of the Shelter 7. Project Management / Monitoring 8. Publicity What was actually achieved: The following outputs were produced: 1.New Shelter constructed, furnished and equipped. 2.Staff, members and volunteers of the Association trained in order for them to acquire the skills necessary to support the helpline. 3. Bilateral relations with institutions in Donor States established and strengthened. The society of Cyprus sees benefit from the project which is a result of the cooperation between the Association and the Secretariat, as Norway has long experience in successfully dealing with Domestic Violence issues, both as regards the infrastructure needed as well as the support required by the victims, not only to escape from violence but also to be successfully integrated in the society
Summary of bilateral results
Organization of seminars and workshops in cooperation with the Project Partner at the premises of the Shelter, after its completion, during which the Partner will share experiences and best practice examples with the participants. -Training of staff regarding cultural differences and mediation by court expert Judith Van Der Weele. -Seminar for Lawyers and Judges on approached towards victims of domestic violence and court system. -Training of staff on handling crisis/violence cases. -Study visit to Oslo, which a representative group of SPAVO visited various shelters in Norway. -Study visit to Oslo by 2 staff members, regarding the sensory room for victims.