Argentina
Domestic Violence, Empowering Women
$11,100 Goal
Provide professional social work support for survivors of domestic violence and work to prevent abuse from happening
The Situation
Domestic Violence is one of the most devastating and prevalent problems in Argentina. The government does not have a federal registry that tracks domestic violence and therefore cannot begin to reliably quantify the serious prevalence of this problem.
Sisters’s Response
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Buenos Aires, Argentina, serve women and children who are at risk and experiencing domestic violence. Sisters partner with volunteers and government services to offer support to current victims, while also focusing on underlying systemic issues in order to prevent abuse from happening.
Three programs run by the sisters and volunteers include:
1) Trancos del Talarprovides personalized counseling and escorts to government services. Escorts are necessary to assist the women in advocating for themselves and their families. They stay at each woman’s side to provide them with security and support, especially when they file the complaint, and when they are at the Commissioner’s Office for Women, the Prosecutor’s Office, and Family Court.
2) Friends of Jesus provides children with services. There is a lot of violence because of abuse, lack of family affection, serious learning problems and dropping out of school. The Sisters are involved in training and supporting the volunteers and accompanying volunteers on visits.
3) Red Kawsay (The Kawsay Network) provides four schools, neighborhood centers, and youth groups with abuse prevention services. Special emphasis is placed on preparing Catholic Church groups and Diocesan priests to identify potential abuse and make appropriate referrals.
“However, for their true empowerment, we have determined the need for therapies. We are succeeding in getting them [the women] to listen to and be in solidarity with one another.”
Sr. Rita Bosch
Funds Needed: $11,100 (first year)
How funds will be used:
- $7,000 to hire psychologists for the Trancos del Talar program
- $6,000 to hire an educational psychologist for the Friends of Jesus program
- $4,100 to hire a social worker for the Red Kawsay program
Goal and Objectives:
Timeline: 10 years
Goal: Expand program to serve the greater Buenos Aires area and nearby impoverished villages and decrease the violence against women and children by 40%
Objectives:Increase available professional services to provide effective treatment for victims of domestic violenceRaise awareness of the occurrence of domestic violence and provide educational and preventive programs throughout Buenos AiresProvide accompaniment programs to assist women in navigating the legal protection system
Systemic Impact
By increasing public awareness of the prevalence through radio, Facebook, contact with advocates, social service workers and parish workers, women and children learn that abuse is unlawful as well as where to find help. The impact has been considered overwhelmingly successful by the community in which they serve.