The three year project aims to influence the attitude, perception and opinion of the general public and professionals (JPs, lawyers, police) in responding to domestic violence cases. An essential element of this project will be educating JPs and other stakeholders to understand the issues related to domestic violence. The project aims to support women affected by domestic violence to make independent choices about whether and how to proceed with charges and cases against violations of their human rights. The project will ensure that women are supported in taking forward their cases and that the cases progress as quickly as possible to hearing.

Over the next three years of the project, JPs, lawyers, and "Ekaterina" will develop a joint response mechanism to domestic violence cases. Partnerships will be built with other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the Sverdlovsk Area in order to distribute good practice, information and training resources. The non-governmental sector of support services for women and children is at an initial stage of development in the area, and the interaction and collaboration with state agencies is very important.

NGOs in Russia do not have financial support from the government. They lack funds and the power to implement measures to prevent violence against women and children in the family. Capacity building of the crisis centre “Ekaterina” will help to increase its status and enable its voice to be heard when strategies and policies concerning human rights of women and children experiencing domestic violence are developed. “Ekaterina” aims to sign joint agreements with the law enforcement agencies to ensure speedy and effective justice and a co-ordinated support service for victims. The project established protection and justice targets which will be carefully monitored throughout its development.

The Haven Wolverhampton has been one of the first agencies to develop accredited Domestic Violence training programmes. One of the units is called “Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence through the Criminal Justice System”. The Haven has a CAADA trained Advocacy Worker and works closely with Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum, influencing domestic violence strategy and policy in Wolverhampton. This experience will allow The Haven to continue to support the valuable work of our overseas colleagues in their struggle for justice for vulnerable women and children.

Domestic violence is a criminal act which has to be dealt with accordingly. Women have the right to live without violence and there is a need to “prioritize women’s rights in judicial and non-judicial mechanisms” (Amnesty International).

The Crisis Centre "Ekaterina" officially opened in Ekaterinburg, central Russia, on 6 March 1998, with the mission to provide social, psychological, legal support services to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Before this period, the problem of Domestic Violence was largely ignored. The centre has a team of psychologists and solicitors to provide individual consultations to women and works with women’s support groups. “Ekaterina” also works on raising awareness of the issues related to Domestic Violence and trafficking, delivers training to organisations and groups and works with the media.

The Crisis Centre runs a Domestic Violence helpline; five years ago it had 700 referrals annually; now the number of referrals has reached 2000 per year! Social, psychological and legal support services are also delivered to survivors. The centre has only 8 members of staff; half of them are volunteers. Staff concentrate on building partnerships with similar organisations in Russia and abroad, in a joint effort to tackle the problem of Domestic Violence and effect political and social changes.

NGOs in Russia do not have financial support from the government. They lack funds and the power to implement measures to prevent violence against women and children in the family. Capacity building of the crisis centre “Ekaterina” will help to increase its status and enable its voice to be heard when strategies and policies concerning human rights of women and children experiencing domestic violence are developed.

According to Amnesty International, “every hour a women in the Russian Federation dies at the hand of a relative, her partner or former partner”. Although the expression “domestic violence” is used by [Russian] women’s organisations and others, it “has not found its way into the legal codes of the Russian Federation”. The scale of domestic violence is vast but there is poor support and protection from the law enforcement agencies.

Whilst in theory the law allows for the prosecution of abusers, victims often face prosecutors and judges with little to no awareness or training on violence in the family. Only a small percentage of cases make it to court and the majority of those cases are dismissed on the grounds of "amicable reconciliation". By opting for reconciliation, the perpetrator avoids having to provide compensation, or undergo any reform programmes for the treatment of drug and alcohol abuse; moreover, no action is taken in terms of restraining orders. Because of the tremendous shortage of housing, many women continue to live with their abusers.

2000 - 2001
The Haven Wolverhampton worked with The Crisis Centre "Ekaterina" and BE Training UK to create a network of social partnerships between NGOs, local authorities, police and business communities, in order to address the problem of domestic violence. The project was funded by British Know How Fund, and as a result of it, NGO staff and volunteers received training in participation and development, capacity building, networking, social research, campaigning and lobbying to improve the effectiveness of "Ekaterina" in advising, representing and promoting issues of domestic violence on local, national and regional levels.

2001 - 2003
The Haven Wolverhampton was involved in "Strengthening the Russian Association of Crisis Centres (RACC)" project, commissioned by Women's Aid and funded through the Department for International Development (DfID), UK. The purpose of the project was to improve the quality of life of women experiencing domestic or sexual violence. The project promoted a multi-agency approach to addressing the problem of violence against women. An educational programme on domestic violence was developed and delivered to the Russian police. By developing active links between law enforcement agencies, government departments and the crisis centres in pilot regions, the project aimed to provide women with access to more appropriate services. One of the achievements of this project was the signing of an agreement between Ekaterinburg's police force and "Ekaterina" - a unique example in Russia! The status of "Ekaterina" increased significantly as it became an equal partner with the police in the fight against domestic violence. Strangthening the RACC helped to ensure that the needs of women experiencing domestic violence are better represented to policy and decision makers.

Influential people from Ekaterinburg’s Local Authority were involved in the project and visited The Haven’s hostels. The Haven Wolverhampton, with its 30 years of experience in the field of Domestic Violence, was a valuable partner to learn from and, as the result, the first two hostels for women and children were open in Ekaterinburg. This was a huge step forward for the crisis centre as the homeless women can be given a refuge, shelter and support in a safe environment.

2004
The FATE Trust carried out a pilot programme which identified the need for further training of all JPs and legal professionals in the area.