Program for the empowerment of women victims of domestic violence from marginalized communities

An intervention for the empowerment of women victims of domestic violence was organized by the  Institute of Preventive Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health, Prolepsis, within the frame of the European Program Daphne III – "SuniaGeel – Combating Domestic Violence in Children, Women and Youth from Marginalized Communities". The Program was implemented in December 2012 and January 2013, at the premises of the Women Shelter “Phoebe” in Athens.

With the slogan "SuniaGeel", “Take care of yourself", according to the Irish travellers, the main objective of the intervention was the empowerment of women victims so as to build up skills in order to run independent lives. The intervention was delivered over 6 sessions, during which experienced psychologists conducted psychoeducational initiatives to women victims concerning trauma and experiential exercises in order to enhance their self-esteem.

The participation and response of women were very enthusiastic and they encourage similar initiatives to combat the phenomenon of domestic violence against women.