On Monday 12/12/2022 our cooperation with the Center for the Prevention of Addictions and Promotion of Psychosocial Health, Regional Unit of Drama “DRASI” and in particular with the social worker Ms. Martha Tzafou, was completed. This cooperation aimed at informing parents and teachers on the emerging forms of online violence.

The “Time to Talk” team participated with a total number of five groups, four of which consisted of parents whereas one of them of primary education teachers of the Prefecture of Drama. The project responsible informed the groups on the multi-annual work of Drama Ladies Union, the innovative project “Time to Talk”, whereas the discussion focused on presenting the results of the university research on emerging forms of online violence.

This research was performed in cooperation with three Greek universities, the Democritus University of Thrace, the University of West Attica and the University of Peloponnese and managed to depict the current Greek reality regarding online violence. This mapping is a valuable tool, on which the design and implementation of future prevention and intervention programs regarding this phenomenon can be based.

Lastly, the project’s website and the game “Change the plot.” Be a gender hero” were presented, which gave rise to concerns, thoughts and feelings related to everyday situations in which we could all potentially be “victims”, “abusers” or “witnesses” of gender-based violence incidents.

“Time to Talk” aims at promoting gender equality and safeguarding human rights. In particular, the staff of Drama Ladies Union-House of Open Hospitality and the Mental Health Sciences of the social services of the Prefecture of Drama took part in two trainings organized by the Norwegian organization “Alternative to violence” on managing people who have experienced any kind of violence, but also those who have exercised violence. Furthermore, a university research was carried out on the emerging forms of online gender-based violence in the University of West Attica, University of Peloponnese and Democritus University of Thrace.

“Time to Talk” is implemented in the context of the Active citizens fund program, with Drama Ladies Union-House of Open Hospitality as implementation body. The €13.5 million Active Citizens Fund program is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) financial mechanism for the period 2014 – 2021, known as EEA Grants. The program aims at fortifying and strengthening the sustainability of civil society and at highlighting its role in promoting democratic processes, strengthening citizens’ participation in society and defending human rights. The management of the grant of the Active Citizens Fund program for Greece has been jointly undertaken by the Bodossaki Foundation and SolidarityNow.

For more information: www.activecitizensfund.gr

PRESS OFFICE OF THE DRAMA LADIES UNION-HOUSE OF OPEN HOSPITALITY