H.E. Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine Larisa Galadza-Kronin reviewed how a system of respond and prevention of gender-based violence in the city of Uzhhorod has been developed, in particular, how works mobile teams of social and psychological assistance to survivors of violence.
The meeting was held with the participation of Uzhhorod Deputy Mayor Vadym Borets, Deputy Representative of the UNFPA, United Nation Population Fund in Ukraine Pavlo Zamostyan and representatives of mobile teams.
In 2020, Uzhhorod became a partner of the UNFPA project "Cities and communities free from domestic violence". Thanks to this, specialists who work in this field received training, support for the development of intersectoral interaction in the city, and also got technical assistance in opening services — the Day Counselling Center and Crisis room for survivors of gender-based violence.
Since April, two mobile brigades have been operating in Uzhhorod.
"Helping Ukraine address these compounding needs and make sure survivors of violence have access to reliable, safe and effective support services, Canada increased its support to include specialized assistance needed to effectively respond to CRSV and increased the number of mobile response units. Addressing gender-based and conflict-related sexual violence is critical for survivors, for communities and for the country’s long-term recovery, stability and peace", said H.E. Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine Larisa Galadza-Kronin.
"At a time of war and internal migration, it is important for the UNFPA to build a nationwide system of respond and prevention of gender-based violence and cases of war-related violence, particularly sexual. We want everyone who needs support, even in a new and unknown city, to be able to access help. Therefore, we are grateful to our partners, the Canadian government, that thanks to their financial support, Uzhgorod has a coordinated system for timely and comprehensive support for survivors", said Pavlo Zamostyan.
In addition, with the beginning of a full-scale war, the city actively provides assistance to internally displaced persons. Only, according to official data, Uzhhorod accepted 28 thousand IDPs.
"New Ukrainian realities bring with them risks of increasing gender-based violence. Internally displaced persons are certainly at this risk zone. For us, the launch of two mobile brigades in April was a valuable support. Mobile teams work closely with our Social Services Center, with Day Counselling Center and Crisis Room, with the police and other key services in this area to help both citizens and those who have found shelter in Uzhhorod. We are grateful to the Canadian government, thanks to their financial support, we can comprehensively provide assistance to all those who need it," said the deputy mayor of Uzhhorod.
Mobile teams include a psychologist, a social worker and a driver. Each mobile team has a car, so can quickly arrive to survivors to provide assistance. Anyone who has faced gender-based, domestic violence, war-related trauma or violence, particularly sexual, can call to the specialists. They receive psychological and legal help. If necessary, mobile teams can help move out from the offender to a safe place.
Since the beginning of work, mobile brigades in Uzhhorod have provided assistance in 304 cases of domestic and gender-based violence. In 54% of cases, survivors faced psychological violence, in 28% (143 cases) – with physical violence, in 16% (82 cases) – with economic violence. In addition, assistance was provided in 10 cases of sexual violence.
Most of the survivors (77%) were local residents. A quarter (23%) — internally displaced persons.
To receive assistance from the mobile brigade in Uzhhorod, contact the following numbers:
+380963129313
+380931677828
The development of systems for respond and prevention of domestic and gender-based violence in the city of Uzhhorod is supported financially by the Government of Canada within the framework of the UNFPA.
