BIJELI KRUG HRVATSKE About Bijeli krug Hrvatske BKH

BIJELI KRUG HRVATSKE About Bijeli krug Hrvatske – BKH ( White cirdle of Croatia – Weisser ring Croatia) - Found 14. 4. 2011. in Split, Croatia as NGO - Associate Member of VSE from November 2012. - Around 70 volunteers - Or services are nationwide over Facebook, e-mail, phone. . - We cover area of city of Split and it s district – around 300. 000 people Service we offer: - Free legal help – provided by paid staff – lawyer - Free emotional help – provided mainly by volunteers – people with university degree in psichology, social work Financial structure: - Natinal tenders – main source of financing (around 95%) - Donations, membership fees. . – around 5% - EU tenders, EU funds – 0, 00% !!!! – Help needed Total annual budget – around 15. 000, 00 Euro

Psychological and emotional help • What we do? – Individual emotional support – Support groups –Education

Individual emotional support • Sensitive, understanding approach that helps individuals accept and deal with their problems • Enabling a person to communicate their anxieties and fears in safe environment; derive comfort from a caring educated person; and increase their ability to care for themselves

Problems: • Lot of people still sees need for emotional support as a sign of weakness • Education of our volunteers • Boundaries • Usually short term

Group support • Small group of people with similar problems (maybe no more than 10) meet on a regular basis to discuss their feelings and problems and provide mutual support. • Decreased sense of isolation • Freedom to express negative feelings • Learning to develop effective coping skills • Enhanced self-esteem • Interaction is personal and extended over longer period of time. • Maintaining contact

Problems: • Uncomfortable at first • Trust issues • Individual preferences

Education of victim • About: their rights, psychological and physical needs, feelings, communication skills, self esteem, assertiveness. . • Building up individual resources

Conclusion: • Emotional support is extremely important and can change victims life • Emotional support is still often underestimated and seen as a weakness in Croatia • Problem with educating our volunteers • Emotional support is not always enough • Improving communication with different institutions