TV Slovenija has interviewed a woman who was among the first mothers to move into the safe house. Due to the sensitive topic, she understandably declined to give her name, but she trusted us with her story. For her, the decision to resort to the safe house was not difficult to make: “I experienced such a shock that I immediately took this decision. I realised I could not go on like this anymore. The child needs a childhood that is as normal as possible and a life that everyone deserves. But I can’t say I felt no fear or anxiety at the beginning. I was wondering how it would be like to come to the safe house, how the neighbours here would respond … A lot of people still do not know this institution, stereotypes still exist in the society. I was worried how my child would get used to being here, but luckily there had been no problems. Actually, my life here is better than has ever been. I can finally be me again.”
Women often don’t make the urgently necessary step
“Mothers who are not employed go to workshops twice a day, so that they can work on themselves, their self-confidence and self-image … and I like that. I’m proud to say I’ve managed to graduate in the time I’ve been here, and I’m hoping to find a job. The staff of the safe house has stood by my side from the start. When it gets really hard, they make it better by giving a hug,” explains the mother.
Many mothers with children still live in difficult family situations and would require a warmer, safer environment. Due to various reasons, however, they do not have the strength or the courage to take this step.
“One simply needs to muster the courage and stop making excuses. I used to have as many as a 1,000 excuses why I shouldn’t leave. But this needs to stop. One has to risk making this step. Otherwise, nothing will ever change for the better. The abusive man definitely won’t change. Ever,” warns our interviewee.
The safe house for mothers with children currently hosts nine mothers with thirteen children.
Cirila Sever, TV Slovenija; translated by K. Z.
