domestic abuse Archives

10 April 2025

Create your own safety plan. Start your journey to a safer place.

A safety plan is a personalised, practical strategy designed to improve your safety while experiencing abuse, to help you prepare for leaving an abusive situation, or to support you after you have left. This plan contains key information tailored to your unique circumstances and will help you prepare for and respond to different scenarios. It … Continued

2 October 2023

Training sessions on information and awareness for future volunteers

Would you like to learn more about volunteer roles at Opoka and how to access professional training that will help you better recognise and understand domestic violence and abuse? Our specially designed training sessions will assist you in recognising domestic violence and understanding what to do if you have concerns about someone in danger. If … Continued

12 July 2023

Accreditation of the National Quality Standard for the support and assistance provided by Opoka to Polish women and their children experiencing domestic violence.

On 12th July 2023 in Birmingham During the Women’s Aid National Conference 2023 “Transforming the Future for Survivors Together,” the Women’s Aid Federation of England awarded OPOKA the National Quality Standard Award! It was a fantastic event, and we are honoured to be part of this incredible sisterhood! In the photo below, representatives from OPOKA … Continued

10 April 2021

Staying in a home should not mean danger. Domestic violence in Polish families in the UK

Statistically, every week, two women living in England and Wales are killed by or within reach of their current or former partner, and nearly one in three women in the country, aged 16-59, has experienced domestic violence in their lifetime. Unfortunately, for many families struggling with the horror of domestic violence, the lockdown meant being … Continued

9 April 2021

Interview: “The hardest thing is to leave everything behind and leave the home…”

Mrs Aneta, you experienced domestic violence. Would you like to share your story? Yes. I personally experienced and survived life-threatening and sustained domestic violence during my first marriage in Poland (1990-2002). After years of suffering from this abuse, I finally found the inner strength and dared to free myself from it. That was 19 years … Continued

9 April 2021

“The hardest part is leaving everything behind and walking out the door…” Every woman has the right to dignity

Shame, immense fear, limited freedom, and condemnation – all of this causes women who experience domestic violence to fear restrictions imposed by their abusive partner. Opoka is an organisation that has been helping Polish women in England lead a safe life, free from dangerous substances and sexual violence. Now, Opoka aims to have its own … Continued

9 February 2021

Domestic violence experienced by so many Polish women living in the United Kingdom

Domestic violence affects many Polish women living in the United Kingdom — but help is available. Talk to Opoka. In 2020, all organisations supporting victims of domestic violence reported over a 65% increase in calls to free support helplines. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, quarantine, and lockdown meant that many families were forced to … Continued

17 December 2020

Polish women in the UK are particularly vulnerable to domestic violence.

The Opoka organisation receives up to 50 calls daily from women experiencing domestic violence. See why Polish women living in the UK are particularly vulnerable to abuse and how Opoka saves lives by offering support, safety, and real help. Read the article

Tag: domestic abuse