This project addresses the problem of insufficient institutional support for women who suffer abuse in the Nowosądecki district. This problem is part of the broader social and political context. The government has announced that it will be withdrawing from the Istanbul convention on violence and has not taken any essential measures to prevent violence. Meanwhile, during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, the problem has become more serious and there has been an increase in the number of cases of violence reported. In addition, in the Nowosądecki district, the Crisis Centre has been incorporated into the Municipal Social Welfare Centre, and one of the consequences of this was a limited range of assistance, and that violence prevention measures ceased being a priority in local policy.

The Project Promoter wants to address the problem on many levels. Firstly, in addition to the range of support available to women who suffer abuse, further psychological counselling and legal advice, and long-term therapeutic support, will be provided. The additional aid will help approximately 60 women. Some of them will be invited to join the therapeutic and development scheme Women’s Rights Leaders, which will provide them with training for work in the environment in local communities. The Project Promoter will also monitor the local domestic abuse prevention system, i.e. analyses and put to a discussion aid institution practices. An expert report will be produced on the basis of the monitoring, making recommendations for local institutions and authorities. The report will contain guidelines for the local action plan, and focus on improving the quality and accessibility of the range of support available for women who suffer abuse.

The aim of the project is that women who suffer abuse in the Nowosądecki district will be provided with all-embracing aid, and that the local violence prevention system itself is more readily accessible and addresses women’s needs.