POLAND

	Regional Center for Violence Victims and Perpetrators
Project Field	Treatment
Context	As in many countries, the problem of family violence has remained largely a taboo subject in Polish society. Thus, the extent of the problem is difficult to diagnose. However, comparative analyses of different national research studies show that 25% of polish families are touched by violence. Alcohol consumption promotes aggressiveness and is thus one of the main factors leading to violent behavior.
Project	The initiative of building a help center for victims and perpetrators of violence is the response of Blue Cross Poland to a general lack of professional aid for families experiencing domestic violence. The new help center will be part of the already existing Blue Cross Municipal Treatment Center in Bielsko-Biała. It will provide a holistic therapy offer taking into account the psychological, social as well as the spiritual needs of the beneficiaries and including their families. Furthermore, the Center will provide legal services free of charge for victims of violence, run a 24/24 helpline phone and create a database of all institutions that provide help in the area of violence in the Silesian Voivodship. A sensitization campaign against violence on local radios and TV channels is designed to break the silence.
Project Goal	The main goal of the program is to create a holistic system of help for victims and their families, thus creating an effective coalition to counteract violence. Professional help for victims and perpetrators combined with sensitization for the general public are seen as an effective means to act against violence.
Duration	01.01.2009 - 31.12.2009
Budget	EURO 157’100

EASTERN EUROPE

POLAND Blekitny Krzyz w Polsce Sp. z o.o. ul. Dzwonkowa 138 43-384 Jaworze Phone: + 00 48 33 817 28 38 www.bk-europe.pl