Save lives of family violence victims in Serbia

Where are we now

In Serbia, since the beginning of 2016, 25 women lost their lives as result of family violence. Women are victims as wives, ex-wives, mothers, grandmothers, daughters.   

In order to save lives of women in Serbia, Safe House in Belgrade continued sheltering women and children victims of violence in Serbia. Since the beginning of 2016 more than 90 women and more than 100 children used services provided within Safe Houses. Lawyers continue providing a free legal service to victims of domestic violence in limited extent considering that amount of money is still limited.

Through our lobbing activities we have managed to find suitable employment for another 5 women victim of violence that have been in our Safe house and according to them this made significant difference and enable them to continue life without violence, considering that economic reasons are proven to play important role when it comes to why women are staying with, or going back to perpetrator.  

In Safe House we continue providing vocational, social and psychological support to women and children victims of domestic violence. We have managed to organize workshops specifically for children in Safe Houses. Additionally, we have managed to organize parenting school in order to provide mothers with skills to improve parenting, to use adequate methods and understand children better, considering that children are victims of violence when they are directly victims but also when they are observers. Since January 2016 professionals conducted 72 workshops with children in Safe houses and we have started parenting school where 33 women took part in this activity.

Dejana O., victim of violence and mother of two said “When I have started parenting school I did not find it very important, but on the classes I have found out why my kids are acting and reacting in certain way. I realized that they victims as well and I now I know how I  can help them in future. It was very important for me“     

In the Safe House we continue providing support but we have troubles finding resources for maintenance, and considering that we have numerous women and children equipment and furniture are worn down and need replacement or repair.

Thank you for contributing to our continuous efforts to help victims of domestic violence in Serbia and please spread the word about us. 

Steps forward 

Safe Houses in Belgrade continue saving lives of women in Serbia, and we are currently sheltering 25 women and 21 children. During 2015, 247 women and children victims of family violence found their shelter in Safe Houses in Belgrade. In addition to this, 3530 call in relation to family violence were realized through work of our organization in 2015. 

Lawyers continue providing a free legal service to victims of domestic violence in limited extent considering that amount of money is still limited. 

Through our lobbing activities we have managed to find suitable employment for 10 women victims of violence that have been in our Safe house during this period and according to them this made significant difference and enable them to break circle of violence and „ they feel themselves again“. 

One woman Ana M. that staid at the Safe House at the occasion International Women Day, March 8^th “I did not know what to expect when I came to Safe House, I just knew that I needed to do something. I have received much more than expected, support and understanding from everyone. After these three months, with all ups and downs, I cannot imagine to go back to my previous life.”       

In Safe House we continue providing vocational, social and psychological support to women and children victims of domestic violence. We have managed to organize workshops specifically for children in Safe Houses. Since January 2016 professionals conducted 32 workshops with children in Safe houses and we have started parenting school.

Thank you for contributing to our continuous efforts to help victims of domestic violence in Serbia and please spread the word about us. 

Links:

• CAFV website