October 2022 News Digest from White Circle Croatia
Study visit to North Macedonia
On August 31, 2022, we organised a work meeting with colleagues from the National Network against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence – Voice against Violence in North Macedonia
At the level of the organisation, we got a new opportunity to exchange experiences and acquire a friendly organisation that does the same or similar work. In the case of the possibility of applying for projects with countries that do not belong to the EU, we have a new partner organisation. We pointed out to them initiatives related to legislative changes that they can propose. What particularly impressed Us was the Intervention Fund they have, which serves as emergency aid.
White Circle Croatia – 2022 Statistics Update
WCC has reported 231 beneficiaries of our social services by the end of August. 121 were users of our free legal aid and 110 users of our psychosocial counselling.
We want to emphasize the benefit of our service in the form of vouchers for basic life necessities that we distribute to our citizens of a weaker economic status and through which we have already provided help to dozens of our citizens this year alone.
Through our lifelong education program we included 4 users in education for deficitary occupations in order for them to achieve easier access to the labor market. Together with other social services, this program provides a comprehensive support to victims.
‘S.O.S. for victims’ project
Starting May 1st WCC has started the implementation of the „Survive, Overcome and Support victims of crime“ – „S.O.S. for victims“ project with a total value of € 295,662.40, of which 90% is co-financed by the European Commission from the JUST-2021-JACC program.
The goals of the project are:
– increase knowledge of the EU acquis, in particular the Victims ‘Rights Directive 2012/29 / EU and national laws governing victims’ rights to information and protection, individual assessment of their needs, referral to relevant support services and all other rights from the Directive as well as the level of their realization in practice;
– increase the capacity of professionals in the field of protection of victims’ rights and improve cooperation between competent state bodies and non-governmental organisations;
– increase the quality of services provided to victims, etc.
So far we had our firs partners meeting and are in stage of developing a questionnaire.
WCC participates as a partner in the project BeneVict. The BeneVict VSE project, co-financed by the European Union, aims to support the global need for a valid argument to support the advancement of victims’ rights across the EU.
The project will quantify the benefits of victim support in four pre-selected member states, in an effort to consider the costs of victimization and develop a case for greater investment in victim support.
At the initial meeting of the project, held in Brussels on July 7 and 8, 2022, participants discussed how these goals can be achieved.
