Safe House

Safe House for Women and Children Victims of Violence in Banja Luka is opened for first beneficiaries since 12 February 2007. It has been established as result of nine years of lobbying and public advocacy activities of United Women Banja Luka. Prior to opening the Safe House, there were no shelters for victims of domestic violence in region covered by City Banja Luka.
Although domestic violence represents universal problem, its forms are very specific in our environment. Postwar society, high rate of unemployment and high rate of alcohol abuse additionally complicate this issue. Well known trans-generational violence is common in our environment. Children that suffer from domestic violence are likely to adopt the same model of behavior in a future – son becomes abuser and daughter tolerates violence as learned model of behavior.
Key objective of the Safe House Banja Luka is to secure safe shelter for women and children victims of domestic violence in region of Banja Luka, in moments of acute violence and in transitional period from leaving violent environment until starting new life.
Victims of domestic violence must be physically removed from abuser in order to protect personal safety and life. Beside that, in the Safe House victims of violence have the opportunity to think about their current situation, receive professional assistance and guidance. Support for victims of domestic violence is provided by professional team that guides women beneficiaries of the Safe House through critical period and assist to overcome first crisis.
Since 1 May 2007, Mobile Team for Assistance and Support for Victims of Domestic Violence in Banja Luka has been established. Beside representatives of police, the Mobile Team is composed of women and men representatives of Center for Social Work Banja Luka and NGO United Women Banja Luka. Mobile Team operates 24 hours every day in a week. Upon call and report of violence to police, other members of Mobile Team are informed and together they conduct field intervention and take steps to protect victims of violence. If there is a danger that violence could be repeated in a near future, a Team makes decision about placement of victims in the Safe House Banja Luka.
Persons that are not residing in territory of Banja Luka are receiving shelter in the Safe House Banja Luka upon assessment of United Women Banja Luka, upon previous agreement with Center for Social Work Banja Luka. Upon sheltering a victim, center for social work authorized to work in area of permanent residence of a victim is informed, since that center for social work has obligation to cover financial costs for daily stay of a victim in the Safe House.

During 2007, financial support for work of the Safe House Banja Luka was provided by City Administration Banja Luka and Center for Social Work Banja Luka.
 

Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation (PDF;128KB)

2008 Annual Report About Work of the Safe House for Women and Children Victims of Domestic Violence in Banja Luka, BiH  (PDF 305KB)

2007 Annual Report About Work of the Safe House for Women and Children Victims of Domestic Violence in Banja Luka, BiH (PDF 220KB)