Children’s area
Often the children have themselves experienced or witnessed violence. Coming to the women's refuge uproots them from their usual environment, and they miss their friends, school and familiar surroundings. For that reason we attach great importance to intensive support of the children by professional educational staff. Close cooperation with mothers and/or with external specialist organisations can be necessary.
Our women's refuge has a children's room fitted out along the lines of standard kindergartens (play kitchen, play mat, reading corner, toys, games and craft materials for all ages). The children are supervised here by staff during fixed opening hours.
The most important goals and subjects for our work with children and young people in the women's refuge are:
- Fostering safety, well-being and acceptance
- Creating an atmosphere that enables the children to talk about what they've experienced and to deal with it; referrals to further help if required
- Fostering and stabilising a sense of self-worth
- Encouraging cognitive, motor and creative skills
- Respectful and non-violent mutual behaviour
- Arranging school attendance
- Homework supervision
- Recreational activities
- School holiday programme
