Awareness Can Stop Gender-Based Violence is a network of volunteer professionals who joined their efforts to support survivors and prevent abuse. In 2017, Russia decriminalized domestic abuse, in effect normalizing gender-based violence. To reverse this trend, a group of professional activists, psychologists, and lawyers founded the Awareness Can Stop Gender-Based Violence project to support victims and raise awareness about gender-based violence. The professionals involved contribute their expertise on a pro bono basis while collaborating with NGOs and media outlets to implement various projects. They fundraise via their local philanthropic communities as well as through crowdfunding to cover the initiative’s expenses.

Theory of Change

Providing support to survivors and raising awareness about gender-based violence reduces incidence of it and prevents it from being normalized in society.

Activities

Psychologists, lawyers, social workers, and financial advisors provide consultations to people in situations of abuse, including the abusers themselves and any children involved as well as to other professionals. Most of the consultations are provided online, allowing the project to help people from all over the country. The initiative also works to raise awareness about gender-based violence. They create easily digestible educational content on specific topics, like building non-violent relations for teenagers (translated into English) and helping children who have witnessed violence, posting the content online free of charge. The project also runs a food and essentials pantry, funded mostly through individual donations. They collaborate with local NGOs in the initiative’s hometown Samara and organize volunteers to help with the monthly giveaway for mothers and families in need.

Results

Their network of volunteer professionals has grown to include 15 experts spread throughout the world, with others who provide assistance on a case-by-case basis. By the end of 2023, over 350 people had received help from the initiative, varying from one-off consultations to assistance provided over a period of months or even years. Every month about 40 families and over 100 children receive food and essentials.