Both legal and psychological help: lawyers assist an IDP woman in overcoming the consequences of domestic violence

Publication date: November 9, 2023

The legal advice that the resident of Dnipropetrovsk oblast sought from the NGO “Public Legal Aid Service” was insufficient. The woman also needed legal support and psychological counseling, as she had to flee not only from the war but also from her domestic abuser.  

Vira* turned to Oleksii Kormiletskyi, a lawyer of the Public Legal Aid Service, with a question about the right to medical benefits. During the conversation, it turned out that the woman had been a victim of domestic violence** by her husband and needed medical care (she had injuries as a result of the beating) and psychological support. In addition, she was an IDP, and the events related to the war and the change of city of residence also affected her physical and psychological state.

– We consulted Vira and found out her needs, taking into account her health condition. We discussed different types of medical benefits available to IDP women in local communities in Dnipropetrovsk oblast, such as free medical care, psychological counseling and support, and access to specialized doctors, explains Oleksii Kormiletskyi.

He prepared a list of documents that Vira had to attach to her application for medical benefits. He also gave her step-by-step instructions on the application procedure and helped her organize the necessary documentation.

– We checked all the prepared documents for accuracy and helped the woman apply to the agency responsible for providing medical benefits. We also monitored the application process and ensured that all of Vira’s rights were fully protected, the lawyer adds.

At the same time, the organization’s psychologist, Olena Shostak, joined the assistance, providing psychological support and referring the woman to certain medical specialists for further treatment and rehabilitation.

* Name has been changed for ethical reasons.

** Helping victims of domestic violence in Ukraine: National hotline for combating domestic violence: 116 123 (mobile); 0 800 500 335 (landline).

The material was created with the support of the international charity platform GlobalGiving and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The publication’s content is solely the responsibility of the Legal Development Network.

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