A day center for socio-psychological assistance for victims of domestic violence has been opened in Chernihiv

On November 14, at 47 Levka Lukyanenko Avenue in Chernihiv, the opening of the Day Center for Social and Psychological Assistance for victims of domestic violence and/or gender-based violence took place. The initiative was implemented within the framework of the UNFPA project, the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine, entitled “Cities and Communities Free from Domestic Violence” with the assistance of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, Chernihiv City Council, with financial support from the USAID Humanitarian Assistance Office, the Government of Norway, and in partnership with the NGO “Association of Experts on Prevention and Counteraction to Gender-Based Violence”.

The opening of the Day Center was attended by Deputy Mayor of Chernihiv Viktoria Pekur.

In 2023, 1,604 people, 1,405 of whom were women, contacted Chernihiv law enforcement agencies regarding domestic violence and gender-based violence. In the first 9 months of this year, 916 people applied, 837 of whom were women.

The day center is a free, accessible and safe space where victims of violence can receive comprehensive assistance in comfortable conditions, including:

– counseling from a psychologist and social worker;

– legal counseling;

– social support services aimed at overcoming or minimizing the consequences of domestic and gender-based violence;

– informing about the services of other organizations and institutions that carry out activities in the field of preventing and combating violence.

Since 2023, Chernihiv has been participating in this project, within the framework of which training has been provided to social workers, psychologists, lawyers and police representatives. The city has a city center for social services, a crisis room and a mobile team.