What solutions are proposed by women who have experienced domestic violence and the professionals who support them
On March 5-7, in Brașov, the 5th edition of the Domestic Violence Survivors’ Forum took place, organized by the A.L.E.G. Association for the #ȘiEuReușesc support community network. The event brought together over 60 survivors and specialists from across the country. Participants reaffirmed the need for pragmatic solutions to domestic violence, based on peer support communities that involve both people with lived experience of violence and professionals trained to address it, with the safety of women and children at the center.
During the event, dedicated to celebrating the courage and strength of women to overcome abusive relationships, participants and specialists drafted the Survivors’ Manifesto, expressing their vision for a long-term, grassroots support system that can be trusted, reduces domestic violence, supports women in leaving abusive relationships, and helps prevent femicide.
Download the Survivors’ Manifesto HERE.
What do survivors want?
They want their stories to be heard in public awareness campaigns; they want education on healthy relationships in schools; economic support, including housing, for people affected by domestic violence; long-term support services that take into account the specific nature of trauma, not only crisis assistance, but also psychotherapy and psychoeducation; approaches to working with perpetrators through trained specialists who hold them accountable and support them in choosing alternatives to violence, rather than reinforcing the idea that they are the victims; reform of joint custody to prevent perpetrators from having the same rights as victims and allowing the violence to continue; legislation aligned with the EU, with a focus on consent, prevention, justice, and protection for victims, as well as accountability for perpetrators; more support from employers, including awareness and recovery leave; advocacy training and development groups for survivors who want to engage with authorities and, in turn, support other women.
Recommendations from professionals active in the field:
Interdisciplinary collaboration in domestic violence interventions, with the safety of the victim and children placed first, not reconciliation or mediation; a consultation platform for survivors to help improve legislation; a stronger focus on the proper implementation of laws; funding for research and impact studies; involving men in prevention efforts, through campaigns such as #NotLikeThis, addressing other men; a mandatory module on risk and victim safety in the training programs of COPSI-accredited psychotherapists; and training specialists to work with perpetrators from a perspective centered on safety and the reduction of violence.
Camelia Proca, founder of the A.L.E.G. Association:
“Why ‘survivor’ and not ‘victim’? Beyond the victimization and injustice experienced, which we do not underestimate—we use this term to bring to light the extraordinary resilience of women who carry on with their lives day by day despite violence, a strength we can use not to endure, but to free ourselves and later help other women. To recognize yourself as a survivor, you don’t have to have defeated violence – it is still systemic and all around us – it is enough to overcome the fear of trying, and alongside others, you will succeed.”
About A.L.E.G. and the #ȘiEuReușesc program
The #ȘiEuReușesc program, initiated by A.L.E.G. in 2018, provides models and resources for survivor communities, with support groups already active in Brașov, Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Satu Mare, and Sibiu. These have been developed with the contribution of partner NGOs such as Pas Alternativ Association and ANAIS, as well as specialists including psychologist Cătălina Poiană and psychologist Cătălina David, and informal groups such as GRAB in Satu Mare. State institutions have also been involved, including State Counselor Diana Punga from the Presidential Administration, as well as Carmen Niculescu from the National Agency for Equal Opportunities (ANES), which coordinates public policies in the field of domestic violence.
The A.L.E.G. Association has been providing specialized services to victims of domestic violence for over 20 years, holding official accreditation and licensing. More details at
www.aleg-romania.eu and
www.sieureusesc.ro .
Elaborated during the Survivors’ Forum 2026 in Romania, invovling 60 women with lived experiences of domestic violence and professionals who provide daily support.
The event was organized by the A.L.E.G. Association with the financial support of the AVON Equal Futures Fund and Alliance for Gender Equality in Europe (AGEE).
