The project provides services which are unique in the municipality. A series of projects targeting domestic violence implemented by the Association team raised the public awareness and sensitivity on the issues of aggression. It was logical to continue our work with a programme aimed at consulting and supporting victims of domestic violence. The Association team includes 2 psychologists, a lawyer, a social worker, a pedagogist working on the hot line, a journalist and accountant. The number of our clients has been increasing gradually. During the project period the Center has worked on 86 cases, of which 70 women and 12 children. 278 consultation have taken place - 100 consultations with the lawyer, 101 with the psychologist and 77 with the social worker. 57 women have called the hot line for the project period. The Center offers some other services too: preparing documents for application under the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence and the Family Code as well as signals to the Local Police on the cases of domestic violence; legal representation in court under the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence and divorce cases; assistance in placing clients in the local Shelter for victims of domestic violence; facilitating contacts with institutions. In the course of the project implementation 16 applications were deposited by our clients under the Law on Protection against Domestic Violenceas well as 3 divorce applications. 14 specialists from different local institutions have been trained by the Association team. 

At the start of the project a press-conference was organized and in the end – a round table for presenting the results; two 2-day training were organized for representatives of the local institutions and organizations as well as 3 training on domestic violence for women, mainly from isolated rural areas around Targovishte; a theater performance on the issues of domestic violence prepared by students for students. During the 16 international days against domestic violence 3 radio clips about the association and its services were aired.

In the course of the project implementation we managed to develop new practices for protection of victims of domestic violence and for the first time established a working system for cooperation with the local institutions involved in cases of domestic violence. The results of our work gave reasons to the Municipality of Targovishte to support the sustainable development of the Consultative Center for victims of domestic violence. The Municipal Council provided the association with a municipal property for a period of 10 years.

Two new projects funded by Mama Cash and Global Fund for Women will support the future work of the Center and the hot line. This will give us the opportunity to expand and improve the quality of our services and to enrich the experience of the working team, to attract new supporters and build good partnership both with local institutions and national organizations supporting victims of domestic violence.

Association Naia
37 Antim I Street
7700 Targovishte
Теl. 0601 / 62 889
naia@usa.com
naia_s@abv.bg