Women who survived domestic violence, named also positive champions, relate that it was very hard for them to overcome fear and take steps to get rid of the aggressor. If they hadn’t felt support and encouragement at the right moment, they probably had remained victims or even hadn’t been alive. The confessions were made in an event held to close the campaign “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” on December 9, IPN reports.
Maria Scorodinski from Drochia is one of the survivors of domestic violence. Now she helps other women to overcome this situation. “I understood from personal experience that a woman victim of domestic violence cannot overcome this phenomenon without support. That’s why we urge everyone to become involved and support these women overcome the state in which they are,” stated Maria Scorodinski, noting that the aggressors inspire fear.
The woman said a lot of victims, especially from villages, do not know about the existence of placement centers and protection orders. She wouldn’t have managed to break the vicious circle if she hadn’t found out that she can benefit from refuge at a district center. Now she aims to help other victims of domestic violence, encouraging them that they can regain confidence in themselves and can have a better life.
Another survivor of domestic violence, Maia Taran from Causeni agrees that the family is the basic unit of society, but noted that drinking, beating and other ugly things prevail in many families. She said she divorced seven years ago, but continues to feel the consequences of violence to which she had been subject during ten years. If she had known the legal provisions, she could have protected herself and her children. She went to a maternal center and then started to learn how to protect herself from brochures and leaflets. The low level of knowledge is a problem. The police intervene late and this is another reason for concern as the victims, being frightened, can change their depositions one day after they are subject to abuse.
The national campaign, organized by the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family, in partnership with UN Women and other ministries and organizations, began on November 25, when the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is celebrated, and ends on December 10, on the International Human Rights Day. During the campaign, more than 100 activities were staged all over the country, including working groups with the local police, painting exhibitions, awareness-raising events and performances.
