Providing Legal Aid to Women Victims of Violence
Project title: “Providing Legal Aid to Women Victims of Violence”
Duration: 01.02.2022 - 12.12.2022.
Funding: The Ministry of Welfare of Latvia from the state budget funds
Project implementer: Association “MARTA Centre”
Association MARTA Centre provides assistance to average 70 victims per week, 300 to 400 a year. During the pandemic, the demand for the service, as well as the workload of specialists, increased by about 60%. Currently, specialists provide consultations both remotely and in some cases in person. Assistance is available in 3 branch offices in Riga, Liepaja and Rezekne.
Victims are provided with a multidisciplinary team service where social worker is the case manager and responsible for identifying problems, planning a safety plan and team meetings, psychologist / psychotherapist helps to reduce the effects of violence on mental health (expenses for the help of a psychologist are covered from other projects), legal advisor helps with applications for temporary protection against violence and divorces, child custody, provides support in criminal proceedings. In some cases, representation in court is also provided. Administrator coordinates the records and manages phone calls. Cooperation with other institutions and coordination of team work in Riga is ensured by the head of the team of specialists, in Liepaja and Rezekne - by directors of branches. Supervisor provides support in managing complex cases and preventing burnout of specialists.
Within the framework of the allocated state budget funds, it is planned to provide assistance to at least 70 women victims of violence in 2022. Depending on the complexity of the case, 1-30 legal consultations are required per case, the duration of one consultation is 45 minutes, in addition preparation of documents for law enforcement authorities is required. From the project budget salary of 15 specialists (7 lawyers, 3 social workers, administrator, 3 managers, supervisor) will be will be covered, and other expenses related to the provision of assistance.
Project contact person: specialists’ team manager Irina Mazurika, irina@marta.lv
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