1. MYMAMY Prešov Slovakia

2. Civic Association MYMAMY – began in 2000, women's organization focused on women's rights, gender equality, equal position of mothers in the society and prevention of social isolation of mothers on maternity leave Mother's center MYMAMY ('WEMOTHERS') (2000 – 2007): Creation of an open and friendly environment for families and children Help with problem solving in families Providing informal education in the field of child care and formation Parent role support Elimination of social isolation of families with young children MC as a unique tool for prevention of socio-pathological phenomena

3. Civic Association MYMAMY Crisis Center MYMAMY (2003 – present): Providing counselling to women – victims of domestic violence Counselling services by a multidisciplinary expert team: psychologist, lawyer, social workers, crisis counsellor Crisis line operation Providing temporary accommodation (since 2008)‏ Cooperation with relevant subjects (local governments, police, legal authorities, healthcare personnel, state social offices, etc.) prevention – secondary schools awareness campaing – general public‏ CC as a tool for prevention of socio-pathological phenomena and support and help for families suffering from gender-based violence

4. Empower Project Action 2 STUDY OF WOMEN VIOLENCE Diagnosis of Gender violence in rural areas

5. Characteristics of Gender Violence Representative Research on Violence against Women: 2003 – carried out by the International Centre of the Family Study 2008 – the Representative Research into Violence against Women (VAW) in Slovakia - implemented by the Institute of Labor and Family Research

6. 2008 RESEARCH a representative sample of 827 women at the age from 18 to 65 years 21% of the questioned women have had experience with combined violence from their current partner.

7. Final Comment The research has proved: the need of providing information about available services to the public the fact that women in rural area need special approach and more support.

8. MyMamy Association’s Clients – Basic Characteristics I Number : 63 Average age: from 40 to 50 (average 43 years) Educational level: secondary education with school leaving exam (about 30); basic education (2). Residence: 99% reside in the Prešov region (Prešov and Sabinov district); 2 clients are from the Košice region

9. Basic Characteristics II Occupation: employed; on the maternity leave; retired; unemployed Clients’ number of children: childless clients (3), the clients with 1 child (11), 2 children (23), 3 children (12), 4 children (4), 6 children (1), 8 children (1), and 10 children (1)

10. Basic Characteristics III Establishing contacts: the crisis line the fixed phone line A visit - less common The electronic counselling - by 4 clients so far

11. Basic Characteristics IV Contact Sources: the Prešov Town Council the web site www.mymamy.skwww.mymamy.sk other cooperating organizations (Fenestra Košice), lawyers or acquaintances.

12. Basic Characteristics V The violence forms the clients have experienced: 1/ Psychological violence - 58 2/ Physical violence - 48 3/ Economic violence - 36 4/ Sexual violence – 10 The most frequent combination 1+2

13. Basic Characteristics VI The first violent incidence: At the beginning of marriage: 9 women During pregnancy: 7 After the split: 1 In marriage – time unspecified: 46

14. Empower Project Action 3 Training of survivors of violence against women The importance of their involvement in our region The importance of empowering survivors, agencies in rural areas, and victims of violence against women

15. Positive impact of the project Cooperation in developing Empower´ s training package Inspiring ideas on the ways of reaching victims of violence Innovative addressing of the problem based on the shared experience of organizations working in 3 different European regions