With only two shelters

Durres in Albania is a nice city, a quite one where time after time new visitors get surprised by its formal way of living, traditions and family principles. I can still remember that long day just one year ago where in the early morning a woman was killed by her husband in front of her workplace. In the media everyone showed their sorrow and indignation – a formal reaction necessary in such cases - but this story was just one among numerous others.
A pacific protest was organized against this act and for other thousand silent deaths of dreams and hopes of women – mothers, daughters and friends. I wonder who has really heard the voices of the pain of these women!
The increased cases of domestic violence in Albania and the pressure of fulfilling standards in order to become EU members made possible the approval of a new law against domestic violence in June 2006. According to this law the Police Directory has started the application of the Immediate Order of Protection for victims.
How effective has these measures been toward domestic violence reduction?
My answer as a professional layer will unfortunately not be totally positive. We have borrowed models from Europe, but we have not borrowed models for the supportive systems that should help the victims to restart their life and to gain their lost self esteem.
The Immediate Order of Protection (IPO) means that during at least 20 days and maximum 3-4 months the perpetrators have to leave the house and by the law we make the victims of violence believe that her life will be different. Of course the perpetrator almost in all the cases respects the IPO, but sooner or later he can go back home and the law doesn’t guarantee a house for the wife and children where to be safe.
The break of the violence cycle is not always a release for a victim because she is often unprepared and without means to start a new life.
In Albania there are only two shelters for violence victims. We are still late to implement the steps foreseen in the National Strategy for gender equity and domestic violence regarding the housing, employment, education, and for treating professionally the trauma of such victims.
I’m so sorry for being so pessimistic but tomorrow when a woman will nock at our door me and my colleagues will not have much to offer, in spite of the law just the emotional and legal support in the Court.
We cannot fight alone in a time when institutions do not know how they can help and where to start! The law cannot function as long as a victim of violence will need another place to stay, a work to survive and the support to be strong enough and independent!
The violence is an international phenomenon, but right now I have to focus on Albania because I’ll build my future here!