Over the past two years, a shelter for victims of violence in Mykolaiv has provided refuge to 100 women and children

A shelter for victims of domestic violence is operating in Mykolaiv. Photo: Mykolaiv City Council

Since March 2024, a shelter for people who have suffered domestic violence and/or gender-based violence has been operating in Mykolaiv. Since then, around 100 people have used its services. These are women and their children.

This is reported in an article by NikVesti: «Violence against women in Mykolaiv: how victims are helped and how perpetrators are dealt with».

Kateryna Vorobiova, head of the «Day Centre for Social and Psychological Support for Victims of Domestic Violence and/or Gender-Based Violence» at the Mykolaiv City Centre for Social Services, Kateryna Vorobiova, explained that a safe space has been created at the shelter for women and their children.

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Children who have witnessed domestic violence are also considered victims, as they suffer psychological trauma. Victims of violence can be referred to the shelter by representatives of the mobile team from the Mykolaiv City Centre for Social Services, the police and the Department of Social Protection.

«During this time, around 100 people have stayed at the shelter, nearly half of whom are children. These are exclusively women or women with children. The shelter is designed solely for them. There are no men at the shelter,» noted Kateryna Vorobiova.

The shelter operates round the clock and is under security guard, as abusers act in various ways. There are specialists and a psychologist on site to help the victims.

A shelter for victims of domestic violence operates in Mykolaiv. Photo: Mykolaiv City Council

There is a shelter for victims of domestic violence in Mykolaiv. Photo: Mykolaiv City Council

A shelter for victims of domestic violence operates in Mykolaiv. Photo: Mykolaiv City Council

The shelter does not provide meals. However, when women arrive there, they are given an emergency food parcel. There is a kitchen where mothers can prepare meals for themselves and their children. Specialists, meanwhile, advise women on where to turn next to resolve their issues.

«We work very closely with civil society organisations, and our specialists refer women to partner organisations and charitable foundations that can then provide further financial or humanitarian support as they are able,» explained Kateryna Vorobiova.

At the social services centre, women are helped to replace lost documents or register their children. As the centre does not provide legal support, specialists refer affected women to the Mykolaiv Legal Aid Bureau and civil society organisations where lawyers are available. In particular, they help file court claims against abusers and draw up applications for divorce.

There is a shelter in Mykolaiv for victims of domestic violence. Photo: Mykolaiv City Council

There is a shelter for victims of domestic violence in Mykolaiv. Photo: Mykolaiv City Council

There is a shelter for victims of domestic violence in Mykolaiv. Photo: Mykolaiv City Council

Victims can stay at the shelter for up to three months. However, given the war, if a person has nowhere else to go and has not yet resolved their problems, their stay may be extended.

During this time, a woman is free to move about, but must let the shelter know where she will be.

«So, for example, she can look for a job, register at the jobcentre, or sort out her documents. It is not a closed facility — women are free to leave. However, they are obliged not to disclose the shelter’s location, both for their own safety and for the safety of other women and the shelter’s staff,» explained Kateryna Vorobiova.

Once a woman has resolved her situation and leaves the shelter, the centre’s staff can provide her with social support if needed. She can seek help from specialists, including a psychologist.

«In other words, the person is not left to face the problem alone, even though they appear to have overcome it, but receives ongoing support. We then stay in touch with the survivor, and are always open to working with them if needed,» added Kateryna Vorobiova.

It is worth noting that the Kherson region has recorded the highest number of documented cases of war-related sexual violence. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, 401 cases of sexual violence against Ukrainian civilians have been recorded. The victims included 250 women and 151 men, amongst them 23 underage girls and one boy.