30% of women worldwide are victims of various forms of violence (physical, psychological, financial); they return, on average, 7 times to abusive partners before they can leave.
How can we help?
Informing each of us is necessary in creating an empathetic attitude.
Websites www.anes.gov.ro or www.acf.hhs.gov can be a good start.
Because the victim is separated from the community by the abuser’s controlling imposition, it is very important that when she manages to communicate she is believed, not judged, and assured that the abuse is not her fault. Common people around the victim (neighbors, colleagues, relatives) are the first step towards organizations that can support victim’s decisions.
In Romania, since 2015, the toll-free number 0800 500 333 has been available, provided non-stop by the National Agency for Equal Opportunities between Women and Men.
Even if the social protection systems are insufficient, sometimes dysfunctional or little known, as long as one in three women is a victim of domestic violence, we will understand that change can only happen through education and information throughout society.
