As part of the project "Barrier Free Ukraine for the Deaf", the non-governmental organization Public Movement "Social Unity" is implementing the project "Countering Violence against Women with Hearing Impairments" and continues to inform the community of Deaf and Hard of Hearing women about domestic violence and how to act when you face domestic violence. The project is implemented with the support of the Fund for Social Protection of the Disabled, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
Physical violence is the intentional infliction of bodily harm that is accompanied by pain and can damage a person's psychological and physical health (or even death): any blows, pulls, pushes, wringing of hands, bullying, beatings, attempts to strangle. Women, children, and adolescents become victims of physical violence very often. Offenders consider them helpless and unprepared for self-defense. Therefore, it is important to do everything possible to avoid a situation of physical violence and the best way to protect yourself from domestic physical violence is to get away from the abuser.
What to do if you are a victim of domestic violence and how to get rid of the perpetrator:
- do not be ashamed to speak – report the situation to people you trust – relatives, friends, neighbors;
- call the hotline 0 800 500 335 or 116 123;
- think through your action plan: prepare a bag with the necessary things, documents (passport, birth certificate, certificate of ownership), money, jewelry that can be sold if necessary, medicines, and other necessary things that may be needed for the first time, when it will be decided to leave the offender;
- memorize the phones of people you trust;
- find a place where you could hide;
- if you have been physically abused for a long time, you must confirm the fact and signs of beating (contact the police and family doctor);
- you can get free legal aid at the Free Legal Aid Centers;
- it is not necessary to respond with aggression to aggression, so as not to provoke the offender to greater aggression;
- If you have the opportunity – call the police as soon as possible.
Physical violence is more about prevention than counteraction. We must do everything we can in time to stay safe.
If you feel in danger with your partner, if you are exposed to domestic violence – ask for help! In the near future women and girls with hearing impairments will be able to get advice from a psychologist and lawyer on how to resolve situations of physical violence through a widget on the website of the non-governmental organization Public Movement "Social Unity" as a part of the project "Barrier Free Ukraine for the Deaf: Countering Violence against Women with Hearing Impairments".
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