Victims are much more knowledgeable and informed: how to combat domestic violence in the Chernihiv region

“Take out the trash from your house” is a stereotype that is gradually being eradicated among victims of gender-based violence, including domestic violence. According to specialists working in this area in the Chernihiv region, both women and men have become more informed and are not afraid to seek help. Moreover, such awareness deters the perpetrators themselves, who understand that the victim will not be left alone with their problem.

This was discussed by the participants of the meeting of the working group on coordinating the humanitarian response to gender-based violence in cooperation and with the support of the Gender-Based Violence Subcluster and the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine, which took place in a mixed format. By the way, as part of this cooperation, an assistance and referral card (at the regional level) was developed with contact details of organizations and specialized services that provide assistance. Among the participants is Ayari Honda, a specialist at the UN Population Fund in Ukraine, who works in the field of sexual and reproductive health.

“Prevention and counteraction to gender-based violence, particularly during war, is a very sensitive topic. We understand the importance of the issue and all the responsibility. That is why we must interact at all levels to really get results,” said Deputy Head of the Regional State Administration Ivan Vashchenko.

One of the key points is the development of a network of specialized support services for victims. Currently, 49 such services have been created in 39 communities of the region. Services are provided by:

2 day centers for socio-psychological assistance to victims of domestic violence and/or gender-based violence, with a “crisis room”;

6 specialized primary socio-psychological counseling services;

41 mobile socio-psychological assistance teams.

It should be noted that as of June 1 (since the beginning of the year), almost 6 thousand victims, most of whom are women (over three thousand), have used the services of specialized services.

As Andriy Shemets, director of the Department of Family, Youth and Sports of the Regional State Administration, said, the expansion of the network is ongoing. This year’s subvention from the state budget will be directed to this (government resolution of May 30 of this year No. 616).

International partners are also helping with this. For example, in the region, the international organization Corus International is implementing the “Protect Her” project, which involves creating safe spaces in the Menska and Koryukivska communities. They plan to reach not only victims, but also people at risk. Currently, renovation work is underway in the premises.

A powerful information campaign is also being conducted in communities, involving various organizations (for example, the Right to Protection Foundation, Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights, and others).

Anastasia Kolomiets, a field specialist on combating gender-based violence at the UN Population Fund, noted that work for the next year should be planned now, taking into account priorities and challenges, in particular the needs of internally displaced persons. She reported that according to available information (reported by organizations providing assistance), women’s “dignity kits” (with hygiene products) and legal aid are not provided sufficiently in the region. According to the field specialist, training of case management trainers is planned for July, which will help to “upgrade” the skills of specialists in the field.

It is worth noting that an interdepartmental working group has been created at the Chernihiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office to combat criminal offenses related to domestic violence. Its meetings discuss the state of cooperation and coordination of interaction between law enforcement agencies and other entities involved in preventing/combating domestic violence in criminal proceedings, as well as analyze the effectiveness of the measures taken and providing assistance to victims.

Recall that the hotline for combating human trafficking, preventing and combating domestic violence and/or gender-based violence operates 24/7 and is free of charge at number 1547.

Department of Information Activities and Public Communications of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration