Overcoming negative practices in the Roma community and combating domestic violence is an important part of the work of educational mediators.
In March 2022, the Amalipe Center conducted trainings for educational mediators from all over the country. These meetings included special sessions on tackling negative practices in the Roma community, domestic violence, combating early marriage, and empowering Roma women in general. The aim of these sessions was for the participants to get acquainted with the nature of domestic violence, to recognize the signs of violence experienced in women and ways to help victims.
The topic of domestic violence was of interest not only to female participants, but also to men, who accepted the presentation of the Amalipe Center study as a PATTERN project partner, as a way to gain more knowledge and skills through to resolve cases of domestic violence against Roma women they meet in the course of their work. For this reason, in the course of a number of trainings, discussions were held with the active participation of all participants regardless of their gender. The sessions included a presentation containing information on the nature of domestic violence, types of domestic violence, hidden signs of violence against women, competent institutions and the behavior that every mediator and professional should have in order to adequately help a victim of domestic violence. domestic violence.
A presentation that presents basic information about domestic violence against Roma women in Bulgaria can be downloaded HERE
The participants were presented with the brochure prepared within the project, which can be found HERE
Anna Velikova, an expert at the Amalipe Center, explained to the participants the specifics of domestic violence and the root causes that caused it and which were identified in the research.
Domestic violence against Roma women is not uncommon. Roma women who experience domestic violence face more difficulties due to lower education, poverty, social exclusion, discrimination and lack of social services in the areas where they live. They rarely report cases of domestic violence due to the fact that they often find themselves guilty, are not sufficiently informed about the problem, as well as which services to report, do not trust the institutions, and have often faced discriminatory treatment from their country when they sought protection.
The information provided on the types of violence and the low percentage of Roma women who are aware that they are victims of violence, as well as what actions it involves, has provoked active discussions.
What’s next?
An online platform will be created in which any specialist can receive information, including self-training on dealing with cases of domestic violence.
The content of this publication represents the views of the author only and it is his/her sole responsibility; it cannot be considered to reflect the views of the European Commission or any other body of the European Union. The European Commission does not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.
See also:
The Amalipe Center’s fight against domestic violence against Roma women continues
April 8 – International Roma Day
International Day of the Girl Child