WORK STANDARDS
OF ALEJ COUNSELING CENTER
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AS A CAUSE AND CONSEQUENCE OF THE WOMEN’S INEQUALITY
We perceive violence in relationships as gender-based violence of men against women, that occurs during a relationship or after separation and is based on a power imbalance between men and women in society and relationships. It is characterized by a combination of coercive and controlling behavior. Violence against women is not a private problem of a specific group of women, and its root causes are not their characteristics, but rather the gender relations settings in society and the family.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AS A CAUSE AND CONSEQUENCE OF THE WOMEN’S INEQUALITY
We perceive violence in relationships as gender-based violence of men against women, that occurs during a relationship or after separation and is based on a power imbalance between men and women in society and relationships. It is characterized by a combination of coercive and controlling behavior. Violence against women is not a private problem of a specific group of women, and its root causes are not their characteristics, but rather the gender relations settings in society and the family.
SAFETY AND PROTECTION
The safety of women and children is a basic principle in the provision of our services, and it is our most important goal. We consider the question of safety and the degree of risk together with the women when planning interventions and individual steps within the entire counseling procedure. This principle is reflected in all of our procedures and methods of work. We provide support and protection to the woman and her children in a way that leads not only to their physical security but also to a sense of inner security. Just before the first meeting, we give the women the address, i.e. the exact location of the counseling center.
Security measures for the protection of personal data and developed security measures at the organizational level are also included as part of the security.
The premises of the ALEJ Counseling Center are in 24-hour security mode and have a monitored entrance. The safety of the staff is secured within the organization’s security plan.
SAFETY AND PROTECTION
The safety of women and children is a basic principle in the provision of our services, and it is our most important goal. We consider the question of safety and the degree of risk together with the women when planning interventions and individual steps within the entire counseling procedure. This principle is reflected in all of our procedures and methods of work. We provide support and protection to the woman and her children in a way that leads not only to their physical security but also to a sense of inner security. Just before the first meeting, we give the women the address, i.e. the exact location of the counseling center.
Security measures for the protection of personal data and developed security measures at the organizational level are also included as part of the security.
The premises of the ALEJ Counseling Center are in 24-hour security mode and have a monitored entrance. The safety of the staff is secured within the organization’s security plan.
HUMAN DIGNITY AND RESPECT
Human dignity and respect create our basic values and are a part of our code of ethics. We respect the individuality of women, children, and their rights to make autonomous decisions. We do not question or trivialize women’s and children’s experiences with violence. Our services are provided in a professional manner, including empathetic and non-victimizing communication.
HUMAN DIGNITY AND RESPECT
Human dignity and respect create our basic values and are a part of our code of ethics. We respect the individuality of women, children, and their rights to make autonomous decisions. We do not question or trivialize women’s and children’s experiences with violence. Our services are provided in a professional manner, including empathetic and non-victimizing communication.
SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR WOMEN BASED ON THEIR NEEDS
Our services are based on the principle of the individual needs of women and children, which may change during the counseling process and due to various reasons. The specialization of services applies to the provided support and security in two ways: (1) it is specifically focused on women who have experienced violence and their children, and (2) it is focused on violence against women as a gender-specific form of violence.
SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR WOMEN BASED ON THEIR NEEDS
Our services are based on the principle of the individual needs of women and children, which may change during the counseling process and due to various reasons. The specialization of services applies to the provided support and security in two ways: (1) it is specifically focused on women who have experienced violence and their children, and (2) it is focused on violence against women as a gender-specific form of violence.
DIVERSITY AND A FAIR APPROACH
We treat the women we work with with respect, regardless of their age, disadvantage, or racial or ethnic background. We follow the principle of non-discrimination and take into consideration the diversity of women and their children, as well as their needs.
The services provided by the ALEJ Counseling Center are available to all women. We adhere to the principles of non-discrimination and equality in the provision of services to staff, including women.
DIVERSITY AND A FAIR APPROACH
We treat the women we work with with respect, regardless of their age, disadvantage, or racial or ethnic background. We follow the principle of non-discrimination and take into consideration the diversity of women and their children, as well as their needs.
The services provided by the ALEJ Counseling Center are available to all women.
We adhere to the principles of non-discrimination and equality in the provision of services to staff, including women.
LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND THE DEFENSE OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS
We strive to provide pro bono legal advice and representation to women who contact us. We only work with lawyers who are sensitized to the subject of partner abuse and comprehend the issue of violence against women and their children. In addition, we advocate for the rights and interests of women and children in contact with other institutions.
Violence against women is a form of discrimination, a violation of women’s and their children’s rights, and in many cases, a crime. We have a clear stance on both violence and human rights. We stand for zero tolerance of violence and reject any practices, that indicate shared responsibility for the violence committed by a violent person. The person responsible for the abuse is its offender.
LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND THE DEFENSE OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS
We strive to provide pro bono legal advice and representation to women who contact us. We only work with lawyers who are sensitized to the subject of partner abuse and comprehend the issue of violence against women and their children. In addition, we advocate for the rights and interests of women and children in contact with other institutions.
Violence against women is a form of discrimination, a violation of women’s and their children’s rights, and in many cases, a crime. We have a clear stance on both violence and human rights. We stand for zero tolerance of violence and reject any practices, that indicate shared responsibility for the violence committed by a violent person. The person responsible for the abuse is its offender.
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
We assist women in gaining control over their lives We strengthen their awareness of human rights, including the right to live without violence. In addition, we develop an individual plan based on the needs of individual women. We give women all the information they need to make the best decisions for themselves and their children.
At the ALEJ Counseling Center, we inform women of their rights, i.e. what services they are entitled to and what their legal and human rights are, etc. We provide women with enough time to consider all possibilities and make decisions. We see women as experts on their lives, also as partners, and those who develop a range of strategies to eliminate and stop violence against themselves and their children.
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
We assist women in gaining control over their lives We strengthen their awareness of human rights, including the right to live without violence. In addition, we develop an individual plan based on the needs of individual women. We give women all the information they need to make the best decisions for themselves and their children.
At the ALEJ Counseling Center, we inform women of their rights, i.e. what services they are entitled to and what their legal and human rights are, etc. We provide women with enough time to consider all possibilities and make decisions. We see women as experts on their lives, also as partners, and those who develop a range of strategies to eliminate and stop violence against themselves and their children.
WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF SERVICES
The provision of our services is managed democratically and, at the same time, is participatory with women. We encourage them to give us feedback, get involved in improving our services, and keep them informed about changes within the organization. It helps us develop, update, and provide assistance and support to women and their children, so it reflects the most on their real needs and goals. When planning activities of the organization and the ALEJ Counseling Center, we try to create a space for women to participate in other activities of the organization, which are aimed at the defense of women’s rights and thus contribute to strengthening and maintaining women’s solidarity.
WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF SERVICES
The provision of our services is managed democratically and, at the same time, is participatory with women. We encourage them to give us feedback, get involved in improving our services, and keep them informed about changes within the organization. It helps us develop, update, and provide assistance and support to women and their children, so it reflects the most on their real needs and goals. When planning activities of the organization and the ALEJ Counseling Center, we try to create a space for women to participate in other activities of the organization, which are aimed at the defense of women’s rights and thus contribute to strengthening and maintaining women’s solidarity.
CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA
The counseling center has clearly defined procedures for handling confidential information and personal data. Within providing support and protection, we respect and abide by women’s and children’s rights to privacy and confidentiality. All women and children are made aware of the situations in which such confidentiality may be restricted.
At the ALEJ Counseling Center, we also provide assistance and protection to women who choose to remain anonymous and do not tell us their name or other details about their identity.
CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA
The counseling center has clearly defined procedures for handling confidential information and personal data. Within providing support and protection, we respect and abide by women’s and children’s rights to privacy and confidentiality. All women and children are made aware of the situations in which such confidentiality may be restricted.
At the ALEJ Counseling Center, we also provide assistance and protection to women who choose to remain anonymous and do not tell us their name or other details about their identity.
SUPPORTING AND WORKING WITH CHILDREN
As part of our service provision, we also work with children of women experiencing violence or with their own experience of violence, and we respect their specific needs. Intimate partner violence against women always has an impact on children as well, regardless of whether the children witness violence perpetrated by their father/stepfather against their mother or are directly exposed to their father/stepfather’s violence. When helping children, we take their specific needs into consideration.
SUPPORTING AND WORKING WITH CHILDREN
As part of our service provision, we also work with children of women experiencing violence or with their own experience of violence, and we respect their specific needs. Intimate partner violence against women always has an impact on children as well, regardless of whether the children witness violence perpetrated by their father/stepfather against their mother or are directly exposed to their father/stepfather’s violence. When helping children, we take their specific needs into consideration.
HOLDING PERPETRATORS ACCOUNTABLE
We proceed from the principle of no justification for violence and that the perpetrator is responsible for the violence. Women are neither accountable nor guilty for the violence they experience. We apply a guarding approach in providing support and protection to women and their children.
HOLDING PERPETRATORS ACCOUNTABLE
We proceed from the principle of no justification for violence and that the perpetrator is responsible for the violence. Women are neither accountable nor guilty for the violence they experience. We apply a guarding approach in providing support and protection to women and their children.
MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY
The female workers at the ALEJ Counseling Center are qualified and professionally trained in the issues of violence against women, partner violence, and violence against children. We develop and maintain the quality of our services through several procedures, such as the exchange of experiences and collaborations with other organizations operating in the same field; monitoring the latest research, innovative knowledge, and best practice in this area and their implementation in the practice of the Counseling Center; continuous training; operational and regular consultations, conciliatory meetings and supervision; evaluation of the capacities of the Counseling Center; regular assessment of quality standards, etc.
The fluent and professional performance of specialized activities is secured by coordination and cooperation by a team of counselors to exchange information, the even distribution of work and cases, division of areas of competence, compliance with labor standards, and own elaborated protocols for various interventions and safety compliance, as well as a uniform method of record-keeping and documentation.
MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY
The female workers at the ALEJ Counseling Center are qualified and professionally trained in the issues of violence against women, partner violence, and violence against children. We develop and maintain the quality of our services through several procedures, such as the exchange of experiences and collaborations with other organizations operating in the same field; monitoring the latest research, innovative knowledge, and best practice in this area and their implementation in the practice of the Counseling Center; continuous training; operational and regular consultations, conciliatory meetings and supervision; evaluation of the capacities of the Counseling Center; regular assessment of quality standards, etc.
The fluent and professional performance of specialized activities is secured by coordination and cooperation by a team of counselors to exchange information, the even distribution of work and cases, division of areas of competence, compliance with labor standards, and own elaborated protocols for various interventions and safety compliance, as well as a uniform method of record-keeping and documentation.
social change
In addition to providing practical support and protection to women experiencing violence and their children, we also strive to contribute to social change by continuously influencing a shift in the approach of individual institutions, as well as a change in the systemic setting to achieve zero tolerance of violence and an empathetic approach to women and children experiencing violence. We contribute to raising awareness about the issue of violence, the latest scientific knowledge, and examples of the best practices.
social change
In addition to providing practical support and protection to women experiencing violence and their children, we also strive to contribute to social change by continuously influencing a shift in the approach of individual institutions, as well as a change in the systemic setting to achieve zero tolerance of violence and an empathetic approach to women and children experiencing violence.
We contribute to raising awareness about the issue of violence, the latest scientific knowledge, and examples of the best practices.