Παρασκευή 29.03.2024 ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑ

Shelter for abused women to reopen

abuse
20 Οκτωβρίου 2022 / 10:42

CORFU. This valuable facility has been closed over the last few years.

The Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands shelter for abused women is to reopen following a period of several years when it had remained closed. Deputy Mayor for Social Welfare Andreas Skoupouras told Enimerosi that the necessary nine positions (psychologist, social worker, guards, general duties, administration) have been advertised since Friday 14 October and when these have been filled the shelter will reopen around the the end of November.

Previous closure of shelter

This valuable facility has been closed over the last few years. Shelters began to operate under the 2007-2013 Business Programme as part of the National Programme for the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women 2009-2013. The shelter in Corfu opened in 2013 when Yiannis Trepeklis was mayor.

The programme ended in 2018 and the shelter has remained closed as it had neither the required personnel nor the necessary supplies and equipment. However, procedures are now underway and the facility will be reopening in about a month's time.

The aims of the shelter

The shelter will offer temporary accommodation for women who have suffered any kind of violent abuse or have been discriminated against (e.g. immigrants, refugees, single parents, those with special needs, unemployed etc.) along with their children if necessary.

The municipal shelter can accommodate up to 20 people and is housed in rented property whose location is not made public in order to protect and provide security for those staying there.

The shelter will operate 24 hours a day seven days a week all year round and professional specialists will provide the women and children staying there with security, psychological and social support as well as support in reintegrating into society and the workplace if necessary. It will also help with access to legal advice and support and put them in touch with Women's Advisory Centres.

At the moment there are 19 such shelters in Greece and there is no geographical limitation on who can use them.