Association B.a.B.e. held a National training for experts who work on prevention and suppression of violence against women
Within the European project “VIVIEN – Victim Violence Educational Network. An educational project to improve the ability to assist women victims of violence.” association B.a.B.e. – Be active. Be emancipated. held a National training for experts who work in the fields of justice, police, health care, social welfare, education and civil society organizations.
Project “VIVIEN” is funded by the European Union’s Right, Equality and Citizenship Programme and is also financially supported by the City of Zagreb and theCroatian Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs. The aim of this project is to prevent and suppress violence against women through education and networking of experts who work in the mentioned fields. The project is coordinated by Italian association Giolli Cooperativa Sociale and is implemented in four European countries: Italy, Croatia, Finland and Bulgaria. Project partners are: B.a.B.e. Be active. Be emancipated., Centro Antiviolenza di Parma (ACAV), University of Parma (UNIPR), SATAKUNNAN (SAMK) University, Narodno chitalishte Sveti Sveti Kiril i Metodij 1924 and Eyes on Four Paws Foundation. Through this project, more than 500 experts form different countries and a minimum of 150 people who work in management positions in bodies and institutions operating in the mentioned areas, will undergo education.
National training was held on a rural estate Acin Salaš in Tordinci, with an enormous help of the Vukovar-Srijem County. That help was recognized and expressed in the introductory speeches of Deputy Mayor Đorđe Ćuričić and Head of the Administrative Department for Social Welfare Darko Dimić. Along with them, the training was enriched by the knowledge of lecturers Ljubica Matijević Vrsaljko, the first Croatian ombudswoman for children and a respected lawyer, and Saša Užarević, director of the Županja Social Welfare Center. Some of the topics of the lectures were: Experts together versus violence against women, Protection of the victims through the provisions of the Social Welfare Law, Neglecting of the elderly as a form of violence, Swearing and other vulgarities – a way of behaving that is not morally accepted and/or a way of violating the dignity of a person that represents psychological violence. After each lecture, open discussions were held during which experts exchanged knowledge and experiences and mutually resolved numerous doubts.
The National training was attended by more than 30 experts form the areas of justice, police, health care, social welfare, education and civil society organizations, who recognized the need for additional education on the topic of preventing and suppressing violence against women. During the training, experts had the opportunity to personally meet each other and to openly discuss about obstacles and ways to improve the support system for women victims of violence.
Violence against women, and especially domestic violence, is one of the crucial problems of Croatian society. Statistical data form Ministry of Interior shows that of the total number of women killed in recent years, most have been killed by people close to them, and 50% of women have been killed by intimate partners, mostly during a woman’s efforts to break up with a partner. At the same time, the same statistics indicate a large increase in violence against women during the epidemic caused by the COVID-19 virus, by as much as 50%. In a century of human rights promotion and rule, we must not allow such behaviors to shape our social norms. We must systematically engage in the suppression of violence against women and engage in education about its harmful effects. Systematic prevention and suppression of violence is possible only through cross-sectoral education and networking of relevant experts with the aim of their efficient and synchronized action and mutual support of all relevant stakeholders.
B.a.B.e. held a Seminar for Directors in Zagreb, Croatia
On February 12th, B.a.B.e. Be active. Be emancipated. organized a Seminar for Directors in Zagreb, Croatia. The goal of this activity within the project VIVIEN – VIctim VIolence Educational Network was to improve cross-sectoral procedures in dealing woth women victims of violence. The seminar was an opportunity to present the progress of the project and the cross-sectoral trainings held so far, as well as to discuss the results of research conducted by the University of Parma. The seminar was attended by 15 executives in sectors dealing with the prevention and suppression of violence against women.
After the presentation, participants were included in a discussion about the challenges that particular departments face when dealing with victims of domestic and gender-based violence, and the need for support between the departments in such cases. It was recognized by participants that specialized training and clear protocols were required for the proper functioning of each sector. The possibilities of prevention of violence through sensitization and training of professionals in the educational system and family doctors were emphasized. Participants informed each other about the key upcoming steps towards improvements of victim support and gender-based violence prevention, such as the ongoing research on violence in adolescent relationships (conducted in collaboration with UNICEF) and the Action Plan on Preventing Violence Against and Among Children and Youth, which would be implemented in schools.
Another project of the Ministry of Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy was announced, which will continue to strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation, as well as the professional capacities of all relevant stakeholders in the field of combating violence against women, has also been announced. A willingness to further sensitize professionals and develop intersectional approaches has been expressed by a majority of participants, with the aim of improving social services for specific vulnerable groups such as older women and women with disabilities. We are pleased that the new initiatives within the various sectors will in many ways build on the goals of the project we are currently implementing, and will contribute to consolidating the knowledge gained, as well as strengthening the system as a whole.
Advanced Multisectorial Training in Croatia
On the 5th, 6th and 7th of February 2020., B.a.B.e. Be Active. Be emancipated. held the Advanced Multisectorial Training in Vinkovci, Croatia. Following the Basic training in September 2019 and the Intermediate training in November 2019, this multiprofessional event represents the final stage of the training cycle in Croatia. Out of 25 participants of the training, which included experts from law enforcement, social services, civil society, healthcare and education, most of them attended all three parts of the cycle. The training was held in the Great County Hall in Vinkovci.
Wednesday, the 5th of February, began as a follow-up on the Intermediate training, while the Advanced training took place during the second part of the day, as well as the remaining days. Topics covered by the first day of training included “Elderly women victims of violence” and “Disabled women victims of violence”. The training also provided an opportunity to present the findings of the research conducted in the project, which helped shed light on the following questions:
- How sensitized are professionals working with victims of gender-based violence in Croatia, Italy, Finland and Bulgaria?
- Does the level of specialized training correspond to empathy demonstrated by professionals in working with women victims of violence?
- What are the beliefs of experts in relation to gender-based violence?
Theoretical lectures were complemented by discussions about stereotypes and biases, empathy and assertive approaches to women victims of violence. On Thursday, participants were introduced to the goals and process of creating a safety plan for victims of gender-based violence. Through this psychological workshop, participants were able to assess the issue from different professional perspectives. The second part of the day was dedicated to deepening intersectorial collaboration and building internal capacities for combating and preventing gender-based violence. On the last day of training, participants interacted through a workshop titled “The Protocol of Conduct in Cases of Domestic Violence: implementation in specific institutions – roles and tasks”. The afternoon session was dedicated to the following topics: “The work and role of shelters for victims of domestic violence: problems women face upon exiting a violent relationship” and “Minimizing the secondary victimization of victims of domestic violence through intersectorial cooperation”.
Further capacity-building activities in Croatia will be held in the form of seminars.
Basic Multi-professional training in Italy… focus on disability!
During the third day of training with professionals of the support network for gender-based violence, ACAV met Rosalba Taddeini, Referee of the listening desk on multiple discrimination of the Association Differenza Donna in Rome.
We discussed about women with physical, intellectual, psychic and sensory disabilities who experience gender-based violence. Women with disability who have encountered gender-based violence in their lives and women that have become disabled as a result of the violence they have experienced. How can they be supported by the network? What obstacles do they encounter when they ask for help? What tools should be taken into account to facilitate the relationship? What have been so far, the unaddressed issues that have led to serious consequences in terms of integration and the possibility for these women to establish emotional relationships based on respect and affection? Dr Taddeini has shown some critical issues to professionals that needs to be recognised and has given useful suggestions for future work. It was a very productive day!
Second VIVIEN partners’ meeting held in Zagreb
This week, the second meeting of partners involved in the project VIVIEN was held in Zagreb, Croatia. The meeting lasted for three days (from December 3rd to December 5th) and took place on the premises of the Association B.a.B.e. and the Human Rights House Zagreb. Partners from Finland, Italy, Bulgaria and Croatia attended the meeting in order to summarize and discuss the progress of project implementation, including the difficulties encountered during the process. The partners agreed on a plan for the implementation of upcoming activities.
The meeting contained a Skype session during which the University of Parma presented the results of a study conducted by partners in all four countries, as well as the first results of mapping good practices in educating professionals working with women victims of violence in the European Union. Partners in all four countries need these results to implement them in the content of their national trainings.
B.a.B.e. participated in an expert meeting “Improving the position of victims of domestic violence”
On the International Day Against Violence Against Women, November 25th, B.a.B.e. was one of the speakers on the multi-sectoral training named “Improving the position of the victim of domestic violence”, that was held at the the Police Academy in Zagreb. B.a.B.e. was invited as one of the experts on the subject.
This cross-sectoral gathering brought together experts from different fields of prevention and suppression of gender-based violence. The speakers were: Anita Matijević from Ministry of the Interior, Tatjana Katkić Stanić from Ministry of Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy, Maida Pamuković from Ministry Justice, Danijela Štimac Grbić, Head of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Prevention at the Croatian Institute of Public Health, Darko Tot from Ministry of Science and Education, Svjetlana Knežević from B.a.B.e. Association and Sandra Turkanović and Mateja Bubaš from Korak Karlovac Women’s Group.
The participants of the event shared their often complementary knowledge and experience in working with victims of domestic violence. Although each sector entails specific problems and methods, the meeting unanimously concluded that it is necessary to build strong cross-sectoral cooperation and an interdisciplinary approach to supporting victims of domestic violence.
International Day Against Violence Against Women – a day dedicated to sensitizing the public to the global problem of gender-based violence and enhancing the determination of women to report violence to help not only themselves but all other women facing the same problem.
B.a.B.e. held an Intermediate multisectoral training for professionals in Vinkovci
At the Great City Hall in Vinkovci, on Wednesday and Thursday (November 6-7), B.a.B.e. held ‘Intermediate Multisectoral Training for Professionals’.
This is a second training for professionals from the police, judiciary, social services, health, education and civil society sector who are working or might work with women victims of violence. The training is carried out under the project ‘VIVIEN – VIctim VIolence Educational Network, An educational project (Ref. cod. number 810444) funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme.
After September 25th, 26th and 27th when we organized Basic Multisectoral Training in Vinkovci, as a continuation of this model of educating experts from the system to prevent and combat gender-based violence, we designed interactive and highly participatory training to provide concrete suggestions on how improve cross-sectoral cooperation among relevant stakeholders.
The trainings were prepared and carried out by B.a.B.e. and their external associates.
The participants of the training also agreed to organize Sectoral Seminars of Sensitization in their work environments in order to impart new knowledge to their colleagues.
B.a.B.e. held a three-day cross-sectoral training in Vinkovci
B.a.B.e. held the ‘Basic Multi-professional Training’ last week in Vinkovci. It is the first of three series of three-day cross-sectoral trainings aimed at preventing and combating violence against women through cross-sectoral education and work with experts from the police, justice, social services, medicine and education sectors, as well as representatives of civil society. The training lasted from Wednesday, September 25 to Friday, September 27.
The goal of cross-sectoral trainings, which we are conducting within the project ‘VIVIEN – VIctim VIolence Educational Network’, is to enhance the competencies of professionals in the system in order to prevent and combat violence against women, but also to avoid secondary victimization of the victim, break stereotypes and prejudices, and allow early recognition of violence.
Thirty participants from Vukovar-Srijem County were educated by experts: psychologist Bruna Nedoklan, lawyer and activist Sandra Benčić and lawyer Ines Bojić.
The trainings are conducted within the EU project ‘VIVIEN – Victim Violence Educational Network’ – N. 810444, which is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Program. Our trainings were supported by Vukovar-Srijem County, on behalf of which participants were welcomed by the Vice-Mayor Đorđe Ćurčić and the Head of the Social Welfare Department Darko Dimić.
‘VIVIEN’ Introduced to the Gender Equality Committee and the Human Rights Coordination of Vukovar-Srijem County
20 September, 2019, Vukovar, CROATIA
On Friday, September 20th, Association B.a.B.e. presented the project ‘VIVIEN – Victim Violence Educational Network’ at the joint assembly of the Gender Equality Committee and the Human Rights Coordination of Vukovar-Srijem county in Vukovar. The county’s Committee and the Coordination were informed about the aims of the project, including the announcement of 3-day intersectoral trainings held in Vinkovci between September 25th and 27th, which gathered professionals in law enforcement, social services, medicine, law and education, with the purpose of building competences for working with victims of gender-based violence and collaboration between sectors. The assembly resulted in cooperation between B.a.B.e. and the Committee and Coordination, which will contribute to decentralizing measures for protecting victims of GBV by educating experts at the regional and local level.
In addition to fruitful collaborative efforts in Vukovar-Srijem county, project VIVIEN has been granted support on a natinal level. It has been officially supported by the Ministry of Science and Education, the Ministry for Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy and the City of Zagreb. Addditionally, we have established cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, the High criminal court of the Republic of Croatia, the Social Services Centre Zagreb, the Croatian Medical Chamber, the Faculty of Law of the University of Zagreb, the School of Medicine of the University of Zagreb, the Croatian Nurse Chamber, Croatian Association of Social Workers, Croatian Psychological Association, University of Zagreb Health Care, County Team of Vukovar-Srijem County for Prevention and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, Victims and Witnesses Support Service in Zagreb, Association for Victims and Witnesses Support in Zagreb, Duga Zagreb, Association „Ženska pomoć sada“, „Bubamara“ Association.
The Vukovar-Srijem County Team for the Prevention and Fight against Violence against Women unanimously agreed to cooperate with the Association B.a.B.e. within the project ‘VIVIEN’
11 September 2019, Zagreb, CROATIA
On Wednesday, September 11th, in Vukovar, the Association B.a.B.e. met with the County Team of the Vukovar-Srijem County for the Prevention and Fight against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence to present the project ‘VIVIEN – Educational Network for Victims of Violence: An Educational Project for Improving the Support System for Women Victims of Violence’.
The primary focus of the project is to prevent and suppress violence against women by training professionals from the system – police, justice, medicine, education and social services. Drawing on good practices and innovative models from all Member States, the project addresses current challenges and needs for civilian contributions to government efforts to curb violence against women, taking into account the specific vulnerability and needs of women with disabilities.
The first training will be held on September 25, 26 and 27 at the Grand County Hall in Vinkovci (Glagoljaška 27). The first day of the training was designed as an introductory introduction, project presentation and workshop, led by psychologist Bruna Nedoklan, while the remaining two days would be led by eminent experts: lawyer Ines Bojić and external consultant Sandra Benčić. The training should consist of 25 to 30 trainees from the police, justice, health, education, social services and non-governmental organizations.
The Vukovar-Srijem County Team for the Prevention and Fight against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence unanimously agreed to participate in a series of cross-sectoral trainings.
1st Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) of VIVIEN implementing partnership
(4-7 December 2018,Reggio Emilia – Parma, ITALY)
From 3rd to 7th December 2018, the first Transnational Partner Meeting of the project took place in Reggio Emilia (Italy), and the last day, the 7th of December, the Vivien Project has been officially presented in a public press conference at the University of Parma.
Meeting with stakeholders in Croatia
(15 February 2019, Zagreb, CROATIA)
On 15th of February, in Zagreb (Croatia), the Croatian partner in VIVIEN project B.a.B.e. (Be Active. Be Emancipated) held a meeting with stakeholders and associates from Croatia.
B.a.B.e. presented the project ‘VIVIEN – VIctim VIolence Educational Network’ to the representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of the Interior, Police Administration of Zagreb, Police Academy, Faculty of Law in Zagreb, University of Zagreb – School of Medicine, University of Applied Health Sciences, Judicial Academy, City Office for Social Welfare and Disabled Persons, Zagreb County Health and Social Welfare Department, Social Welfare Center of Zagreb Croatian Nursing Council, Croatian Association of Social Workers, Croatian Psychological Society, Victim and Witness Support Service and Status M. B.a.B.e. proposed co-operation models and supported letters for the future project activities were and well being of Croatian society.
The Anti-Violence Center is a place for everyone!
Research shows that women with disabilities are at greater risk of suffering from gender-based violence. Yet from our experience we see how they address the Anti-Violence Center less frequently than women without disabilities.
The VIVIEN project has enabled us to reflect on the issue and channel our efforts to spread knowledge that women with disabilities are exposed to double discrimination and how inclusive paths need to be thought of.
We have created a logo, to be included in our website and social media, that can facilitate the recognition of the Anti-Violence Center as the appropriate place to turn to and thus facilitate access to the Association of women with disabilities, so that this it’s a place for everyone.
A first step was to reflect on the access of women with motor disabilities but… we won’t stop here!
