No woman should feel alone - No abused woman should remain silent

PRESS RELEASE

Athens, 25 November 2021

No woman should feel alone - No abused woman should remain silent

November 25: World Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

The United Nations General Assembly has designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. On this occasion, "The Smile of the Child" joins in solidarity with the global community to raise awareness on this critical social phenomenon, emphasizing that also the children who witness their mother being abused, are victims of violence.

Violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving equality, development, peace as well as to the fulfillment of women and girls' human rights. "The Smile of the Child" has joined forces with the competent actors and undertaken a series of initiatives and actions, emphasizing the detrimental effects of the phenomenon, through the years of abuse and the entrapment of women within a family abusive environment, the harmful, short- and long-term consequences on children's lives, but also the obstacles at the expense of the therapy and protection of the abused women and children.

Through its free-of-charge services, "The Smile of the Child" seeks to harness the positive benefits of a holistic approach, for the benefit of women and children who need to be protected from domestic violence.  

In this context, "The Smile of the Child"…

●  … has undersigned a Cooperation Agreement with the General Secretariat for Family Policy and Gender Equality and the European Network Against Violence, offering shelter, sustenance, material and psychological support to every abused woman along with her children. For this purpose, the Organization works closely, both with the "SOS Helpline for Abused Women 15900", and with the Counseling Centers for Women.
●  …works closely with the Supreme Court Prosecutor's Office and the Greek Police for the protection of children.
●  …is a member of the Task Force and also a member of the #MeeToo movement of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, in an effort to affect social change by participating with the "National Helpline for Children SOS 1056".

In practice, "The Smile of the Child" supports women and their children victims of domestic violence, by providing the following free-of-charge services nationwide on a 24/7 basis - 365 days a year -24 hours a day.

In specific:
● the "National Helpline for Children SOS 1056", which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is interconnected with the state's Psychosocial Support Hotline 10306, created by the Ministry of Health,
● the CHAT1056 app, a new way of direct communication at the disposal of every woman who suffers abuse, so that she feels secure to chat through written text,
● receipt of branded or anonymous reports,
● on-site interventions for immediate removal of victims of domestic violence and their transfer to a safe environment with the simultaneous information of the competent actors, the police and the prosecutors' office,
● provision of apartments to accommodate women and their children
● material and social assistance
● medical monitoring and health care support for uninsured children
● facilitation of children's educational needs
● facilitation of mothers' job employment
● Consulting support
● Transfers by the Neonatal & Pediatric Intensive Care Units (Ambulances) of the Organization
● Personalized mental health services to children and adolescents, victims of domestic violence

No woman, No fellow citizen should tolerate any kind of violence.

No woman should feel alone and remain silent.

All men, all women have equal rights, they should never give up.

It is a responsibility that all citizens should exercise and respect, to stand up for the rights of their fellow citizens, if they for any reason, can't defend themselves.

For more information please contact:
"The Smile of the Child"
Press Office
Tel. (+30) 210-3306140
press@hamogelo.gr