Sunia Geel

Program duration: 01/03/2011 - 01/03/2013

European Commission, Directorate General Justice, Freedom and Security: Daphne III Programme- 2007-2013 “To prevent and combat violence against children, young people and women and to protect victims and groups at risk”

Prolepsis participated as a partner in a 24-month European Project titled “Sunia Geel” (2011-2013). The project was part of the European Action Daphne III under the General Directorate for Justice. It was oordinated by the “Exchange House National Travellers Service” in Dublin, Ireland, with the participation of 4 partners from European countries, including Prolepsis. “Sunia Geel” was officially launched on March 1st 2011.

As a response to the need to protect women and children against all forms of violence, “Sunia Geel” focused on domestic violence, in particular within minority groups. It aimed to increase the knowledge and skills of both service providers and members of marginalized minority groups regarding the need to deal with domestic violence. More specifically, drawing from the experiences among project partners, the project provided insights and best practices on responding to domestic violence. Hence, it aimed to contribute to the prevention and the minimization of the effects of this problem, by developing a strategic framework with tailored responses and protective environments for different cultural, geographic and national settings. In addition, “Sunia Geel” seeked to educate, increase the awareness and knowledge, boost the self esteem, enhance the development of interpersonal skills, as well as provide emotional and family support and counseling to the members of these marginalized communities.

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has published alarming data, identifying an increase of domestic violence against women and children in specific migrant and minority groups in Europe. It has been reported, according to FRA, that during the period 2008-2009, every second woman in these families has experienced violence. Social institutions also need to deal with the lack of access to these families and their members due to cultural, lingual and social barriers. Furthermore, these families are, often, undocumented or illegal and not registered with national authorities. It is, therefore, vital to develop and provide new tools to social workers and social care institutions that will enable them to reach out to these families, especially women and female children.

The initial stages of the project included an in-depth analysis of the current situation and the legal status regarding domestic violence, both nationally and internationally. Moreover, a careful evaluation of most common practices regarding domestic violence and a needs assessment regarding the social care service providers were conducted.

A series of specific actions took place within the framework of the project:

Development of new innovative tools, techniques and methods for dealing with domestic violence issues in hard to reach and marginalized communities.
Development of tools, methodologies and new options for best practices, so as to enhance and promote the dialogue and cooperation between the social care service providers and the members of marginalized communities both at a national and an international level.
Organization of educational seminars aiming at the development of practical skills for the social care service providers.
Realization of seminars and workshops aiming to support and empower the victims of domestic violence, focusing on women, children and young people, both individually and as a group.

Services: Education

Project partners

Coordinator:

Exchange House National Travellers Service, Ireland

Associated partners:

IEIE International Education Information Exchange, Germany
VMM-Verein Multikulturell Migrationsakademie, Austria
Prolepsis Institute for Preventive Medicine, Environmental & Occupational Health, Greece
ANUP, Associata Nationala Universitatilor populare din Romania, Romania