Casa Ioana provides services to women and children experiencing domestic violence and homelessness. Although domestic violence is one of the main causes of 'homelessness', not all women and children who become homeless suffer from domestic violence. While our psychosocial support is similar for both categories - support for access to work, childcare and affordable housing - we recognise that safety and security is a major concern for those leaving a domestic violence situation. To meet these, Casa Ioana collaborates with BGS's Security Division, which provides 24-hour monitoring and intervention at the center.
Social exclusion is the consequence of a number of problems affecting a person, such as unemployment, discrimination, minimal skills, low income, poor housing or homelessness, poor health and family breakdown. When such problems combine, they can create a vicious circle. Social exclusion has complex and multidimensional causes and consequences, creating deep and long-lasting problems for individual families, the economy and society as a whole.
If you are a woman or child experiencing domestic violence and homelessness in your family and would like to talk to the staff at Casa Ioana, you can reach us during office hours at +40 21 332 6390 or you can email us at [email protected].
You don't have to be a Romanian citizen to benefit from our services; we often support women and children of other nationalities living in Romania.
Temporary
Accommodation
Support services
Youth and
teenagers
Financial support
Creating a safety
plan
Accommodation
Currently, in the centre in Berceni we offer 9 family-type rooms to women and children who are affected by domestic abuse and/or homelessness and is protected by the BGS Security Division. We also offer emotional and practical support from social workers.
Our centre offers a very good standard of accommodation, which includes a shared kitchen, dining and living area, bathrooms and toilets, private family rooms and children's play areas. Families are accommodated subject to suitability and availability.
Women tell us that while you might feel apprehensive about living in a community, it provides a place where they can interact with other women who have had a similar experience, but also enjoy their own private space to reflect and become stronger.
If you need a safe place to stay, we can support you and your children.
Our professionally qualified psychosocial support staff will build a working relationship with you to enable a smooth transition to Casa Ioana and to ensure that practical and emotional support, advice and guidance is provided to the highest standard.
Temporary accommodation (additional information)
If you have to leave home because of domestic abuse, you will need to find safe temporary accommodation, during which time you can decide what to do next. You may consider going to a safe place where women and children can stay temporarily until they find new accommodation.
The centre also offers emotional support and psychotherapy from the psycho-social team. During your stay at Casa Ioana, you can access a range of workshops on parenting, feminine hygiene, reproductive health, nutrition, cooking and the importance of early childhood learning.
In addition, the workshops will allow you to learn about important interpersonal skills that employers look for when hiring staff and you'll get one-on-one career advice. You can also get help with CV writing and interview techniques. Finally, financial literacy workshops will help you understand what you need to know about money and how to use it wisely.
We also offer children and young people support including social skills, homework help and effective use of leisure time.
How long can I stay at Casa Ioana?
You can stay with us until you feel you are ready to move on, the hosting contract is for a period of 12 months. Most women are ready to move on after four to six months. We'll help you find a new tenancy and prepare you for independent living.
How much does it cost to stay at the centre?
The cost of the Centre's services depends on the individual situation. If you are employed full time and on contract, you are expected to pay 300 Ron each month. If you are not working and only receive minimum income or child benefit or disability pension, then there is no charge. Your social worker can help you claim benefits. Additional financial support is also available through our financial literacy training programme.
Availability
Although we do our best to accommodate those who need temporary accommodation, sometimes we can't support every woman in need. The Casa Ioana Centre can accommodate a maximum of 9 women and about 24 children at a time. If we do not have a room available in our centre, we will try to find another alternative or we will put the case on the waiting list. Casa Ioana works closely with other providers of accommodation services for people affected by domestic violence.
Specialised support
Our centre offers support to women who have additional support needs. Our qualified staff aims to help you with whatever you need.
For enquiries about temporary accommodation in our centre, call 021 332 6390.
For information about centres and support for domestic violence outside of Casa Ioana, call the 24/7 national hotline: 0800 500 333
services
Every woman and child who suffers as a result of domestic abuse has different needs. Not all victims of domestic abuse want to access refuge or temporary accommodation. Some women may want to stay in their own homes or find alternative accommodation with family or friends.
Casa Ioana provides assistance to help women make safety plans, access affordable housing, legal support, and access various support services in the community.
The key aim of this support is to empower survivors of domestic violence through effective emotional support. Your caseworker will build professional and trusting relationships with you that will help you move forward with your life.
Support Services provides support with a wide range of assistance including:
- establishing personal safety and security
- housing rights and responsibilities
- social benefits
- accessing services in the local community
- training on life skills development
- preparing and maintaining a rent
- legal advice and support with court appearances
- training on interpersonal skills in the workplace
- building self-confidence and social skills
- budgeting, bill payment and personnel management
For enquiries about how to access support call Casa Ioana at 021 332 6390 or by email: [email protected]
To make an enquiry about accessing assistance, call Casa Ioana at 021 332 6390 or send an e-mail: [email protected]
teenagers
To support your child or young person in the transition to temporary accommodation, our staff will help you support your children in friendly environments to settle into temporary accommodation.
Casa Ioana understands the impact that domestic abuse can have on children's health and well-being and will work with children/youth to come to terms with their traumatic situation using therapeutic techniques and resources as appropriate to minimize their experience of domestic violence.
Also:
- We offer advice and guidance on how best to support your child and provide you with the means to access additional services if your child needs more specialised intervention during this difficult time.
- we have good links with local schools and community services that can help and support your child.
- We offer extra-curricular activities during the holiday period and planned fun sessions during school time using volunteers from the local community.
Support
The support team of Casa Ioana helps women who have suffered or are suffering from financial and domestic abuse.
Financial abuse is a form of maltreatment in which an abuser forcibly controls the victim's economic means. It can involve confiscating, rationing, stealing or withholding money; not allowing the victim to take part in financial decisions; or even forcing the victim to give up work. Financial abuse can also occur when a partner intentionally accumulates large amounts of debt on behalf of their partner.
Financial abuse can often start out subtle and progresses over time. It can happen to anyone, regardless of income, education or independent success. While it can be difficult for couples and families to deal with complex household finances, it's important to know that a healthy relationship should include openness, communication and agreement on financial matters. Many people affected by financial abuse feel they have no means of escape, feeling they simply cannot afford to leave.
The financial literacy programme will develop and improve your skills in areas such as budgeting, saving, employment and housing. The programme is designed to enable you to live financially independent lives and create better futures for you and your children.
a safety plan
If you're thinking of leaving an abusive relationship, it's good to plan so you're prepared practically, emotionally and financially. Some of these options may be possible, while others may not. Don't do anything you think could compromise your safety or that of your children.
Before leaving
If you can, save some money in case you have to leave your home in an emergency. It can help with alternative accommodation for you and your children. Save small amounts of money.
If your finances are under control and you and your children are in danger and need to leave immediately, try asking a friend, family member or someone you trust if they can lend you some money in an emergency.
Be prepared
Casa Ioana suggests the following:
- Think of people you can trust in an emergency and let them know you plan to leave. Make sure it's someone you feel confident you can rely on and won't reveal any information to your abuser.
- Tell a neighbour you trust and ask them to call the police if they suspect you are being physically attacked.
- Talk to your children about your escape plan, teach them how to call 112 and how to give their full name, address and phone number if they should use it in an emergency.
- Make a list of important phone numbers and addresses. These should include your GP, local police station, social worker (if you have one), children's school, local authority office and local domestic abuse social service providers.
- Identify the nearest public phone in case you need to use it in an emergency
- Pack an emergency bag and leave it with a friend or neighbour. This could include:
- Some clothes and toiletries
- Medication if prescribed
- Keys to your home, car and place of work (if possible, we recommend having duplicates)
- Identity documents/passports and birth certificates
- Details of any benefits you receive
- Debit cards, credit cards
- Driver's licence and registration certificate/car papers
- Title deed to the house/household or rental agreement
- Documentation of any household items that may belong to you
- Details of any invoices in your name
- Details of any credit cards/loans that are in your name
If you cannot access the original documents or you think your partner may notice that the documents are missing, you can make photocopies of the originals or alternatively note the relevant reference numbers. To avoid any suspicion, collect items over a long period of time for your escape. Remember to leave your bag in a place where your partner is unlikely to look for it, or alternatively ask someone you can rely on, such as a friend or neighbour, to hold it until you are ready to leave.
When it comes time to leave, make sure you know where you're going - with a friend, a family member or to a shelter? Try to time your departure when your partner won't be around to avoid them stopping you.
Do not leave papers with names, numbers or addresses on them. Remember that writing can also be printed on the page underneath.
Consider that if you don't have time to follow the safety plan and you are in immediate danger call 112.