A republican preventive campaign 'Home without Violence' will be held in the Vitebsk region

With the aim of attracting the attention of broad sections of the population to the problems of domestic violence, explaining to citizens the need to assist state bodies in minimizing the consequences of offenses committed on this basis, and clarifying the provisions of the Law of the Republic of Belarus of January 4, 2014, "On the Fundamentals of Crime Prevention Activities," a preventive campaign "A Home Without Violence!" is being held in the region from April 15 to April 30, 2014.

In 25 territorial centers for social services for the population (hereinafter referred to as centers), one of the areas of work is the prevention of domestic violence against women and children and the provision of psychological, legal, and other types of assistance to them.

Seminars are held for specialists of the centers, aimed at improving the system of social support for victims of domestic violence.

On the issue of organizing work to protect victims of domestic violence, the centers closely cooperate with the healthcare, internal affairs, and education authorities. The centers' activities to prevent violence against women and children in the family are carried out in several areas.

In order to increase public awareness of the problem of violence against women and children, center specialists conduct educational events (classes, legal education seminars), and set up information stands containing recommendations for women and children on personal safety, indicating the necessary telephone numbers of state institutions and public organizations where they can turn in difficult life situations. 22 "hotline" telephones operate on a permanent basis in the centers.

Work on the prevention and resolution of conflicts in families is carried out through the organization of group and individual consultations, and psychological training aimed at resolving family conflicts. The priority in working with families remains with the individual form. This work involves repeated meetings, consultations, and conversations between psychologists and social workers with all family members.

Many centers have developed special programs for parents aimed at improving the culture of marital and family relations. Clubs and hobby groups have been organized to assist in forming harmonious intra-family relationships, social adaptation and support for families, and resolving conflict situations. Psychological and pedagogical outreach events are organized for teaching staff and school parents in the form of discussions, training sessions, and consultations.

Awareness-raising activities to increase women's motivation to contact law enforcement agencies in cases of violence are carried out both orally (lectures, discussions, consultations) and through mass media, brochures, leaflets, and special campaigns.

In order to provide practical assistance to victims of domestic violence by offering short-term accommodation for women and children, "crisis" rooms have been equipped in all administrative districts.

Information about the possibility of receiving assistance in a "crisis" room, located in one's own administrative district or neighboring ones, is available at territorial centers for social services for the population and internal affairs departments.

In 2013, 20 citizens utilized the services of the "crisis" room.