“10% of victims refuse help”: 7,604 reports of domestic violence were recorded in Chernihiv region in 2024

Since the beginning of 2024, 7,604 reports of domestic violence have been recorded in the Chernihiv region. During this time, almost 12,000 people have used the support services for such victims in the region. However, according to experts, approximately 10% of victims refuse help.

The Chernihiv OVA reports this on its website with a link to the relevant services.

As stated in the message, compared to 2023, the number of filed applications for domestic violence during the same period has decreased.

“7604 applications – against 9023. This statistics was influenced by the proper high-quality preventive work of the police and relevant services. We involve community social workers in our work, we conduct preventive work through joint raids. Therefore, there is positive dynamics in this issue,” notes the head of the Department of Preventive Activities of the Main Department National Police in the region Andriy Zelyak.

However, the head of the mobile brigade of socio-psychological assistance in the city of Chernihiv Olena Nadtochiy emphasizes that often victims do not want to make public the facts of violence and do not contact the police.

“Approximately 10% of victims refuse help. In this case, the only thing we can do is provide the victims with the necessary contacts to contact in case the situation repeats,” says Olena Nadtochiy.

According to her, the number of calls regarding domestic violence in the families of military personnel who are on leave or are undergoing rehabilitation.

“In this case, a comprehensive approach to the problem of all relevant structures is important. This includes working with both servicemen, because in the realities of war their worldview changes, and with their families,” says the psychologist.

The mobile team, explains Olena Nadtochiy, can provide the services of a psychologist, a social worker, or redirect to a crisis room or shelter. But the question of assistance to men who have suffered violence often remains open.

“The number of such cases is increasing, and there is still no crisis room in our region where the victim can be sent.”

In addition, according to the Department of Family, Youth and Sports of the Regional State Administration, there are 50 specialized support services for victims of violence in the region: three day centers for socio-psychological assistance, six specialized primary socio-psychological counseling services, and 41 mobile teams.

According to the director of the department, Andriy Shemets, in 2024, four communities of the region (Varvinska, Borznianska, Kulykivska and Koropska) received money to purchase cars for mobile teams.

Currently, the “16 Days Against Violence” campaign is underway in Chernihiv region, as well as in Ukraine as a whole. It includes seminars, trainings, thematic literary and photo exhibitions, as well as a flash mob “Children Against Violence”, which aim to teach people not to remain silent about domestic violence and to counteract it.