Innovative methods of working with victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence

Abstract

Background: The question of violence perpetrated against women and girls in Ukraine has been raised by the public for decades. In the context of an ongoing and active war, the issue of violence is very sensitive. On the one hand, we can see that people are primarily concerned about basic needs. On the other hand, trauma, silence, and ignoring violence and fear have complex implications. Purpose: To present specialised support services that provide social and psychological assistance to victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence in Ukraine. Methods: The theoretical method of the research was to analyse the documents used to study the works of scholars who created, adapted and researched specialised support services for victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence. To better understand the activities of various specialised support services for survivors, an empirical method was used, namely, a qualitative sociological study was conducted to analyse personal experiences of creating specialised support services for working with victims of domestic and gender-based violence. Results: The analysis of legal and regulatory documents in Ukraine provided a complete picture of the work in the field of preventing and combating domestic and gender-based violence, compliance with international standards and innovative approaches. Conclusion: The results of the study show that innovative approaches to working with victims of domestic and gender-based violence are being implemented in Ukraine and meet international standards. Their implementation is based on adherence to European values. In the context of war, there are certain challenges and problems, but the expansion and implementation of such specialised support services continues. Keywords: domestic violence, gender-based violence, gender-based violence, specialised support services for victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence, mobile teams of social and psychological assistance, call centres, counselling service, shelters, day centres, crisis rooms, social and psychological assistance to victims of domestic and gender-based violence.