NGOs will mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women with a campaign against domestic violence, Suzi Kvas of the Socio public institute told MMC. The campaign will run until December 10. A number of meetings and panels across Slovenia will discuss the issue of domestic violence. Other institutions to whom victims turn for help, e.g. police, courts and social service agencies, will also take part.

“Victims can stay at Safe Houses (women’s shelters) for up to 12 months and then live in housing units or other facilities. However, it becomes very difficult for them to get a job or rent an apartment. Therefore, we need more social enterprises that understand what single mothers go through. These social enterprises need to help them earn money,” Kvas stressed.

Domestic violence is a long process that rarely starts with physical violence. Most of the time, psychological and economic violence are involved. This results in tense family relationships, poor communication and a lack of respect. Eventually, the victim is caught in a vicious circle of violence. It is very difficult to break free without outside assistance, the Slovenian Social Services Agencies said.

Bullies need help
Some workshops will also focus on the perpetrators of violence. The Association for Nonviolent Communication (Društvo za nenasilno komunikacijo) is the only institution that has addressed this issue. In Ljubljana, Maribor and Celje, the Association has launched programs aimed at addressing violent behaviour. “Our goal is to increase support for those programs. It is vital to focus on the perpetrators of violence because this is the only way of solving the problem. Hiding the victims is not the solution,” Kvas said, adding that participation in these programs should be mandatory for the perpetrators.

Gorazd Kosmač; translated by D. V.