Strengthening Survivor Support Through Regional Exchange
Within the project United Against Domestic Violence in Serbia, funded by the Intesa Foundation—a philanthropic organization established by Banca Intesa, part of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group—a two-day study visit to Slovenia was organized for social workers and psychologists employed in shelters across Serbia. The visit aimed to strengthen professional capacities, foster peer exchange, and support networking among experts working directly with survivors of domestic violence.
During the visit, participants held two working sessions with representatives of DNK Organization, a Slovenian civil society organization dedicated to the prevention of violence and the provision of psychosocial support to individuals and families. Through interactive discussions, participants exchanged experiences and explored practical approaches to improving support services for survivors. With more than 30 years of experience, DNK represents a strong example of good practice in this field, working with both survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence.
Katja Zabukovec Kerin, Director of DNK, presented the organization’s accredited education programmes, which address a wide range of target groups—from schoolchildren, teachers, and parents to professionals in institutions such as police stations and prisons—highlighting a comprehensive and systemic approach to prevention and response.
The group was also welcomed by Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia. In her address, she highlighted the importance of the United Against Domestic Violence programme in protecting victims, strengthening shelters in the region, and ensuring safety and support for women and children since 2024. She emphasized that study visits such as this one provide valuable opportunities to learn from best practices—exploring how shelters are organized and managed, how survivors are empowered through educational programmes, and how practical approaches can be adapted to further strengthen services in participants’ home countries.
Fajon also underlined the importance of cooperation with the private sector, noting that such partnerships bring essential resources while contributing to stronger regional cooperation and progress toward European standards in the protection of victims of violence. She further emphasized the significant contribution of the Intesa Foundation in supporting initiatives that provide protection and assistance to women and children survivors of domestic violence in Serbia and concluded by expressing appreciation for ASB’s continuous regional engagement and its contribution to promoting inclusion.
The delegation also met with Andreja Katič, former Minister of Justice and Defence of Slovenia, who played a key role in introducing the “Only Yes Means Yes” consent-based model into the country’s legal framework on sexual violence.
The study visit contributed to strengthening regional cooperation and enhancing the quality of support services, reaffirming a shared commitment to protecting survivors and advancing systemic responses to domestic violence.
