Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the installation-exhibition ‘The Point Is…’ was opened.

‘The Point Is...’ once again draws attention to a horrible phenomenon of violence. This issue is often left behind closed doors. It is silenced. People don’t notice and look away from it.

The exhibition presents 16 small objects used in real cases related to domestic violence, according to information provided by the National Police of Ukraine (all names and some details have been changed).

The point is that domestic violence is often silenced.

The point is that domestic violence can happen nearby.

The point is that the object of domestic violence can be anything.

The point is that you can save someone’s life if you don’t stay away.

The point is that those you know can suffer from domestic violence.

The point is that you can prevent domestic violence – you just need to seek help.

The point is that the perpetrator can be a friendly neighbor whom you greet every day at the elevator door.

The point is that not all victims report domestic violence and experience their own horror every day.

The point is that more than 150,000 reports of domestic violence are received by the Ukrainian police annually.

Today the installation was officially opened in Kyiv on Mykhailivska Square.

“The victims of violence should not be left alone with their problem. Combating violence and helping victims should be a priority for the state and Ukraine recognizes this priority”, said the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska today opening the exhibition.

“The exhibits presented are absolutely familiar to us – we can see them at home every day. But for some people, these objects have become a manifestation of personal horror – because for the rest of their lives they will be associated with domestic violence. We sought to show domestic violence as is: unadorned, cruel and depressing”, said Kateryna Pavlichenko, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

“I am confident that in the framework of implementation of the state policy and objectives set out in the Presidential Decree on Combating Domestic Violence, which was recently signed, we will step up these efforts so that every citizen of Ukraine is confident in protection and receive all the necessary assistance”, said today Olha Stefanishyna, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine.

The official opening of the exhibition was also attended by international partners supporting the development of a comprehensive system of effective response to violence in Ukraine: British Embassy Kyiv, Embassy of Canada in Ukraine, Embassy of Sweden in Kyiv, European Union in Ukraine, and NATO in Ukraine.

The guest of the event was the Honorary Ambassador of UNFPA Ukraine Maria Efrosinina.

It should be recalled that the exhibition is held on Mykhailivska Square in Kyiv from today until December 10.