1989
ASSOCIATION SOS Helpline
The Association SOS Helpline was established in 1989 as an informal group within the Lilit Section, which operated formally under the ŠKUC – Forum organization. The SOS Telephone Association is fundamentally a feminist project. It arose from the need recognized and defined by a small group of women who wanted to help women with experiences of violence. The SOS Telephone Association was the first non-governmental organization in Slovenia working against violence toward women and children.
11. oktober 1989
Association SOS Helpline for Women and Children - Victims of Violence
The SOS helpline rang for the first time. This was a pioneering but decisive step toward the protection and assistance of women and children experiencing violence in family, partner, and kinship relationships.
September 1996
SELF-HELP GROUP FOR WOMEN SURVIVING VIOLENCE
The SOS Helpline’s self-help group was one of the first forms of such support in Slovenia. It introduced an individualized approach to helping individuals and personal sharing of experiences of violence within a group.
November 1997
SHELTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN – VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE
The SOS Helpline opened the first non-governmental shelter in Slovenia: the Shelter for Women and Children – Victims of Violence, operating in Ljubljana. In 2000, the SOS Helpline opened a Safe House in Celje, which now operates independently.
November 1999
SOCIAL CAMPAIGN “WHAT’S WRONG, GIRL?”
An exceptionally resonant awareness campaign carried out by the SOS Helpline on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25), in collaboration with several NGOs and one governmental organization. The campaign caused public uproar by stating that one in five women in Slovenia experiences physical violence in the family, and one in seven has been raped (slogan: “Every 5th beaten, every 7th raped”).
1999
BRONZE AWARD
For significant achievement in ensuring safety, the Ministry of the Interior awarded the SOS Helpline a Bronze Badge in 1999.
2000 - 2006
EXPANSION OF SHELTER CAPACITY
Between 2000 and 2006, the Municipality of Domžale granted the SOS Helpline two residential units for free, expanding the accommodation capacity of the Shelter for Women and Children – Victims of Violence program.
2000
PLAQUE FROM THE CITY OF LJUBLJANA
Awarded to the SOS Helpline on behalf of the City of Ljubljana by Mayor Vika Potočnik.
2003
GRATITUDE
For kindness, nobility, and humanitarian work, the Ministry of Labor, Family and Social Affairs, together with the magazine Naša žena under the patronage of Štefka Kučan, recognized the SOS Helpline in 2003.
September 2009
SHELTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN – VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE II
On September 16, 2009, the Shelter for Women and Children – Victims of Violence II began operating in Ljubljana as part of the SOS Helpline. The shelter was officially opened in October 2009 at the 20th-anniversary ceremony of the SOS Helpline. It was the first safe house in Slovenia with accommodations for women and children with disabilities who have experienced violence. On the Association’s 20th anniversary, a Bulletin was also published.
2009
CITY OF LJUBLJANA AWARD
For 20 years of humanitarian volunteer activity, for selfless assistance to victims of violence, contributing to social safety, awarded on behalf of the City of Ljubljana by Mayor Zoran Janković.
Marec 2011
PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
On March 29, 2011, a pilot project began providing telephone psychosocial support for persons experiencing bullying, mobbing, sexual or other harassment at the workplace, operating until the end of 2015. In April 2012, email counseling for victims of workplace violence was introduced, which continues to this day.
2012
POLICE BRONZE BADGE
For cooperation in strengthening safety, awarded to the SOS Helpline in June 2012 by Police Director General Janko Goršek.
Januar 2015
PSYCHOSOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE
In January 2015, a program began providing psychosocial and psychological support to women and children who are victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. The program offers individual counseling and social advocacy for women victims of violence, psychological support for children who have experienced sexual abuse, and individual counseling and social advocacy for their non-abusive parents and other family members. The program also includes a support group for women experiencing violence.
2015
MEDAL OF MERIT
Awarded to the SOS Helpline by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, for 25 years of systematic, professional, and dedicated assistance to women and children victims of violence.
1. januar 2021
SOS HELPLINE
On January 1, 2021, the 24-hour SOS helpline for women and children – victims of violence began operating.
