In conditions of full-scale war, the issue of safety and protection of women who have suffered from domestic or gender-based violence becomes particularly urgent. Military operations, forced displacement, loss of familiar surroundings and constant stress significantly increase the risks of violence, especially for internally displaced persons.
In order to support women who find themselves in difficult life circumstances, within the framework of the project "Side by Side: I Know. I Act. I am Protected.", which is implemented by the Center for Gender Culture of the Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University in partnership with the Slavic Heart Charitable Foundation with financial support from the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, the Telegram chatbot SafeStep - @safestep_ukrbot has been developed.
The chatbot was created to provide prompt, safe and confidential assistance to women experiencing domestic or gender-based violence. It contains:
* step-by-step algorithms for actions in crisis situations;
* recommendations for personal safety;
* contacts of hotlines and assistance services;
* practical advice that can come in handy at a critical moment.
This digital tool is especially useful for internally displaced women who often find themselves far from their relatives and friends, do not know where to get psychological, legal or social support, and need quick access to verified information.
You can use the chatbot in the Telegram messenger at the link @safestep_ukrbot. It works confidentially and helps you quickly navigate the algorithm of actions and find the necessary support regardless of your location.
Remember: domestic and gender-based violence cannot be silenced. Help is nearby, and the first step to safety can be taken today.