Refuge from violence: How women in Ukraine find help

In the middle of the night, Kateryna leaves her home - a small bag in her hand, her two-year-old son in her arms. She is six months pregnant, exhausted and full of fear. Her older children are studying in another city.

A friend had secretly given her the name of a women's shelter in western Ukraine - a place where women who have experienced domestic violence can find protection. A new chapter begins there for Kateryna.

Kateryna was married for 21 years. Ten of them were peaceful, then came control, humiliation and violence. With the birth of her youngest son, around the time the war began, the situation escalated. Her husband took away her money, forbade her to eat, deprived her of sleep. At some point, she began to doubt her own sanity - precisely the target of emotional manipulation.

After the death of her father, her last confidant, Kateryna found help. A friend put her in touch with 100% Life Rivne, a partner organization of humedica Ukraine. There she received medical care, legal advice and psychological support. Her son was given a place in kindergarten - a small island of normality. The location of her accommodation remains secret. The risk of her husband finding her is too great.

In conversations with psychologists, Kateryna processes what she has experienced. Insomnia and panic attacks become less frequent. Step by step, she regained her self-confidence. "I have learned to trust myself again," she says quietly today, but with a smile.

A legal expert supports her with the divorce and child maintenance. Kateryna attends workshops on financial independence and resilience. She now helps with the day-to-day running of the shelter - the staff affectionately call her "our right hand".

The women's shelter supports Kateryna until after the birth of her child. After that, the social workers help her to find accommodation, apply for jobs and reintegrate into everyday life. The aim is for every woman not only to survive, but to be able to live independently again.

The war is also making the work of the psychosocial teams more difficult. Destroyed roads make many facilities difficult to reach, and telephone and internet connections are frequently interrupted. Some advice centers even come under fire.

Despite this, the helpers remain on site - because they know how urgently their support is needed.

In 2023, the number of reported cases of domestic violence in Ukraine rose by 51 percent. In the first months of 2024 alone, over 30,000 cases were registered.

In an environment where fear, trauma and economic dependence characterize the everyday lives of many families, the work of humedica and its partners is vital. Women like Kateryna receive:

• A safe place to stay: a protected place where trust can grow (approx. 6-7 months average length of stay)
• Psychological help: Individual and group discussions with experienced professionals
• Social support: Support in finding accommodation, dealing with authorities and re-entering working life
• Legal advice: legal process of divorce and maintenance payments
• Medical care: e.g. gynaecological examinations. e.g. gynaecological examinations during pregnancy, but also treatment for cancer and
  other illnesses
• Childcare: also in local facilities and referrals, e.g. to a speech therapist
• Training for general financial education and strengthening emotional resilience
• Auxiliary supplies such as hygiene articles for mother and child, baby food

With your support, you give women like Kateryna protection, dignity and hope - in a country that has been suffering the consequences of war for years.

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