Programme for work with families of adolescents survivors of violence

This programme directly relates to the previous one. It is necessary for the reintegration of young people in society after the experience of violence. It targets families and the closest surroundings (school, peers, local communities, orphanages, etc.) of adolescents victims of violence. A specific feature of Bulgarian patriarchal culture is the late age at which the youngsters still depend on their families. According to Bulgarian law, the agreement of the adolescent's parents is needed for continuing education or for starting a job. Meanwhile the violence suffered (especially sexual) is a taboo subject between children and parents. Society does not differentiate between forced and voluntary prostitution. The young women survivors of trafficking are not accepted and are isolated even by their families. Very often, the family of the victim needs emotional support and counselling in order to react appropriately in a situation of risk threatening their daughter. The programme aims at facilitating communication in the family, to accept the victim, understand her suffering and establish a non-blaming attitude by the relatives.

The programme includes:

• Contacting the family or the relatives of the adolescent (with his/her agreement)
  
• Analysing the dynamics in the family and exploring the family history of violence
  
• Analysing the family environment
  
• Work with the family's predispositions towards violence.
  
• Developing a security plan with the family
  
• Work in the community of the adolescent (with his/her agreement)
  
• Work with institutions and organisations with which the adolescent victim is in contact - schools, boarding schools, the police, the municipality, social and medical services, etc.