Σάββατο 02.11.2024 ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑ

49 women and 53 children have found refuge at Municipal Women΄s Shelter

domestic violence
02 Δεκεμβρίου 2023 / 12:21

CORFU. Central Corfu Municipality seeks to continue the operation of the shelter and has submitted a relevant proposal for the funding of the project.

Dozens of women who are victims of gender-based violence, along with their children, have found a valuable and secure refuge in the Women's Shelter all these years. In fact, Central Corfu Municipality seeks to continue the operation of the shelter for another two years and has submitted a relevant proposal for the funding of the project. This submission is in response to an invitation from the Special Management Service of the Ionian Islands Region Operational Programme.

The individuals hosted at the shelter since its inception in 2014 include victims of domestic violence, prostitution, rape, trafficking, sexual harassment, as well as immigrants, homeless individuals, unemployed Roma, and single-parent families. From when it opened until now, the shelter has accommodated a total of 102 people, including 49 women aged 18 to 62 and 53 underage children. Since the facility resumed its operations last March, five women and their seven children, one of whom is a baby, currently reside there.

The Shelter

The Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands Municipal Shelter, which can accommodate 20 individuals, is housed in a rented property at an address undisclosed to the general public for the protection and security of the residents. Beneficiaries include women along with their children who require accommodation in the shelter, without any geographical restrictions on their origin. The stay is temporary, aiming at the women's reintegration into society.

The facility operates around the clock, including weekends and holidays throughout the year. It provides women and their children not only with accommodation and safety but also with psychological and social support from specialised personnel. Additionally, it offers support for women to integrate into the job market when needed. The shelter also facilitates access to legal counselling by referring individuals to Women's Counselling Centers.

Continued operation

In a unanimous decision on November 29th, the Central Corfu Municipal Finance Committee gave the green light to the submission of a proposal in response to a funding invitation from the Special Management Service of the Ionian Islands Region Operational Programme. This seeks to continue the operation of the shelter for another two years. Specifically, the proposed timeframe is from December 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025. The total budget for the project amounts to €636,925.

MARIA BAZDRIYIANNI

Photo: Pixabay