Olena (name changed for security reasons) is 34 years old and the mother of an 8-year-old daughter. She lived in an occupied city with the father of her child, to whom she was not officially married, for several years. Her relationship with him was emotionally and psychologically draining as he constantly humiliated and insulted Olena, convincing her that “nobody needed her” and that she and her child were a “burden on society.” She felt isolated, helpless, and hopeless.
After the de-occupation of the region, Olena decided to take the opportunity to leave the dangerous environment. She turned to the mobile team of the NGO Girls, which provided assistance to survivors of gender-based violence. The mobile team's psychologist had an individual consultation with Olena. The social worker assessed the family's needs and immediately referred her to a case manager, after which the process of comprehensive support began.
Psychological support was the first and very important step. During individual sessions, the woman was able to talk about her experience, regain her self-confidence, and realize that she deserved a life without fear, insults, and humiliation. At the same time, Olena received legal advice. Specialists helped her to properly document the cases of violence, give an official statement to the police, and prepare documents to obtain the status of the affected person. The woman also received advice on how to claim alimony.
An important milestone for the family was receiving financial assistance within the project “Strengthening Access and Service Provision for SRH Support and GBV Prevention among Conflict-Affected Women and Girls in Eastern and Southern Ukraine” in cooperation with the international humanitarian organization CARE, with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office, which enabled Olena to rent accommodation in a safe place and leave her abuser. The mobile team specialists helped the woman organize her move, gather the necessary belongings, and settle into her new place of residence.
Thanks to the case manager’s support, Olena managed to find a job at a local grocery store, where she has a stable income and a friendly team now. This gave her not only financial independence but also inner confidence.
The specialists from the NGO Girls paid special attention to Olena's daughter. They enrolled her in school, where she quickly adapted, and also signed her up for art and dance classes. This helped the girl feel part of her new environment and relieve the stress she had experienced.
Today, Olena lives separately from her abusive husband, works, takes care of her daughter, and is building a new life free from violence. She dreams of continuing her education, developing professionally, and helping other women who find themselves in similar situations in the future.
