Fundacja Feminoteka

We are a Polish women-led, rights-based non-government organisation founded in 2005. We are the only specialised service provider focused on sexual violence in Poland. We provide high quality services for women who have experienced men's violence, especially sexual violence. We work to contribute towards ending violence against women. We educate, we organize actions, we write petitions, we change the law and society. Our work is directly informed by survivors' experiences and what they tell us they need, and is grounded in feminist, anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, women- and survivor-centred principles and practices. We stand on the side of women. OUR MISSION Our mission is a w... read more We are a Polish women-led, rights-based non-government organisation founded in 2005. We are the only specialised service provider focused on sexual violence in Poland. We provide high quality services for women who have experienced men's violence, especially sexual violence. We work to contribute towards ending violence against women. We educate, we organize actions, we write petitions, we change the law and society. Our work is directly informed by survivors' experiences and what they tell us they need, and is grounded in feminist, anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, women- and survivor-centred principles and practices. We stand on the side of women. OUR MISSION Our mission is a world where women live safe and independent lives, free from violence, inequality, and oppression. Our vision is to contribute to ending the harm inflicted on women who have experienced sexual violence or other forms of violence. Our work is grounded in feminist principles and practices, centred on the needs of women who have experienced violence. We believe that violence against women is both a cause and a consequence of inequality and discrimination against women, and ending it requires a multifaceted approach. From working directly with women who have experienced violence to immediately save their lives and support their long-term recovery, to influencing social attitudes and policies to achieve lasting change. Our work is holistic and empowering, collaborating with survivors to support their healing and recovery, as well as their independent living and development. We support all women, regardless of their nationality, gender assigned at birth or social/economic status. As a primary specialized GBV service provider, and one specialised in sexual violence, in Poland, we are in the unique position with our response and empowerment services and support to be able to respond the urgent needs of some of the most vulnerable refugee survivors of violence and those at risk. Since the escalation of war in Ukraine in early 2022, Feminoteka has mobilized and stepped up as a primary, GBV service provider specialized in sexual violence, to adapt our services and support to ensure they are continuously relevant, accessible, and appropriate for Ukrainian refugee survivors, especially the most vulnerable, and those at risk. We know from work each day, that the need for specialized GBV care and support remains high, alongside wider programs aimed at refugee women's wellbeing, recovery and independence. Since starting our Ukrainian refugee response and dedicated Ukraine response helpline, we have since expanded it to a refugee and migrant helpline, ensuring we are also reaching vulnerable refugees and migrants in Poland from other contexts. OUR SERVICES We offer free, holistic, multilingual services delivered by women, including psychological, therapeutic, social and legal support, to address complex needs, providing safe spaces and shelter, supporting women to heal, recover and take control of their lives and futures after violence. We also promote women's empowerment and wellbeing, through anti-violence workshops, Wen-Do self-defence and violence prevention training, and other wellbeing activities. All our services have been made accessible to Ukrainian refugee survivors. Hotline (nationwide): Our hotline (providing services in Polish, English, Ukrainian and Russian) provides confidential, independent, non-judgemental and non-directive support to women who have experienced men's violence, including sexual violence. The hotline is staffed by women who are trained experts in the field of violence against women and survivor-centred support. We have an additional hotline in Ukrainian and Russian languages. Rape Crisis Centre: In May 2023, we are opening the first Rape Crisis Centre in Poland that will meet the emergency, ongoing and long-term needs of survivors in a holistic, well-rounded and coordinated way, from the moment they need us until they no longer need us. Services include, individual and group therapeutical care; post-rape medical examination and treatment; forensics collection and storage; client support (i.e. accessing safe housing, social benefits) and accompaniment (i.e. court and hospitals visits); outreach, education and training for key professionals. It will be run by an experienced all female team, offering friendly, welcoming, non-judgmental, respectful care. Safe Shelter: We run a 12-bed shelter in Warsaw for survivors (inc. those with children), where residents receive comprehensive, tailored support and access to our full range of services and specialists. Expert Trainings: We offer expert trainings on gender based violence and providing support to violence survivors tailored to the needs of groups enquiring about them - medical staff, judges and prosecutors, Police officers, social services staff, companies or businesses. ADVOCACY AND SOCIETAL CHANGE An integral part of our work to heal the trauma of sexual violence and contributing to preventing and ending violence, we conduct advocacy, research and education to inform and influence laws and public awareness aimed at societal and structural change, and the promotion of women's human rights and their freedom from men's violence. We conduct campaigns aimed at raising public awareness, shifting harmful attitudes and beliefs around survivors and men's violence, about the harm of sexual violence, and promote strategies to prevent it and end it.