Preventing social exclusion – the role of crisis intervention centres in the system of counteracting domestic violence

Abstract

In the 21st century the phenomenon of domestic violence is recognized as democratic phenomenon. It involves every social group regardless of education, origin and income. For almost 20 years, the Polish State has laid particular emphasis on the prevention of this phenomenon. In 1998, the Police, as the first entity started to enact the procedure for the domestic violence prevention, known as “Blue Card”. In 2005, a Law connected with domestic violence prevention came into force, imposing a number of obligations to the government and local government administration bodies. At the same time, the act set forth the rights of people suffering from domestic violence and defined the form of assistance provided by particular administration bodies. In 2010, the above mentioned Law was amended, within the work in Interdisciplinary Team in particular, pursuant to this amendment, every local government at the level of a commune was obliged to counteract domestic violence. The last current Act in force is the Regulation of the Council of Ministers of 13 September 2011 on the “Blue Card” procedure and a model form concerning ”Blue Card”. The above mentioned legal acts, also imposed to the Poviat-Level Local Government particular tasks in the system of counteracting domestic violence. One of the tasks is to establish Crisis Intervention Centre. These Centres, especially those located in poviats, where the majority of inhabitants occupy the rural areas, perform at the same time the role of a leader in the case of counteracting domestic violence. Not only rural municipalities, but also minor municipal governments do not have the possibilities and also sufficient financial resources for the implementation of all forms of assistance for people suffering from domestic violence, but also for those who use violence against others (specialized support, psychological advice, educational and corrective impacts for those who use violence against others etc.).