Family Learning to Address Domestic Violence

The IRENE project responds to the domestic violence crisis in Europe, which requires immediate attention. In the EU, 25% of violent crimes involve men attacking their partners. During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns led to an alarming increase in domestic violence. IRENE seeks to prevent this violence at its root, recognizing the need to not only help direct victims, but also witnesses, especially children exposed to this environment. The project proposes an innovative family learning model to support the prevention of domestic violence and establish safe homes. Its objective is to promote peaceful coexistence and, once completed, transfer its results to benefit more communities in the future.

The IRENE project seeks to promote peace between European families and protect their vulnerable members from violence and abuse. Domestic violence witnessed by children can lead to negative effects such as anxiety, depression and aggressive behaviors. Through the project, we aim to support families to address these problems and help children recognize positive relationships and behaviors. Additionally, elder abuse has increased, with a significant percentage perpetrated by family members. Parents and grandparents have a crucial role in educating about healthy relationships and addressing abuse. The IRENE project seeks to develop relevant educational materials to support parents and foster a family learning model that involves three generations, seeking to positively impact the prevention of domestic violence and abuse. With targeted educational interventions addressed at a family level, and with effective referrals to the available social services in each EU Member State, the concrete objective of the IRENE project is to support families to take action to prevent and eradicate domestic violence within the family unit, across Europe.

The IRENE consortium followed a bottom-up approach to work with local families to address the issue of domestic violence, and to build their resilience to address this issue within the family unit. Partners implemented each of the following activities on a monthly basis to ensure all project objectives were met and all results were developed on time and within the proposed project schedule (see GANT CHART in Annexes). The following activities were undertaken: The team hosted the first PM online; TRH discussed the key learning outcomes to be achieved by the Programme for Parents to Build Positive Family Relationships (PR2). ALDAIMA discussed the key learning outcomes to be achieved by the Family Learning Toolkit (PR3). The Project Management Plan, Quality Assurance Plan, Promotion Plan, and the Impact Plan were all drafted by their respective partners. The first press release, developed by ALDAIMA, was shared online. The project website and Facebook page were developed by IoD and TRH developed the branding strategy. Between months 6 and 12, the following activities were undertaken: Partners completed financial, administrative, and promotion reports. Partners completed quality assurance and evaluation activities. The first newsletter was produced and distributed. The team planned and hosted the TPM in Ireland. Prototype modules for PR1 and PR2 were developed by respective partners. Prototype content for the Family Learning Toolkit (PR3) was developed by partners. PM led the development of the In-service Programme for Adult Educators (PR4) and set the key learning outcomes to be achieved. Between months 12 and 18, the following activities were undertaken: Partners completed financial, administrative, impact, quality, and promotion reports in month 12. Partners completed quality assurance and evaluation activities. The team planned the second TPM in France. The second newsletter was produced and distributed. Content for PR1 and PR2 was signed-off in English, produced in English. Partners prepared for the C1 in Poland in month 17. Partners completed financial, administrative, quality, and promotion reports in month 18. Content for PR1 and PR2 was translated into all partner languages and produced in all partner languages. The content of PR4 and PR3 was signed-off in English, translated into all partner languages, and produced. GSVO developed a draft Sustainability Plan in month 18. The third newsletter was produced and distributed. VIVA FEMINA hosted the LTTA in Poland in month 17. Between month 18 and 24, the following activities were completed: Partners completed financial, administrative, impact, quality, and promotion reports in month 24. Partners delivered PR1 and PR2 to 10 adult learners; PR4 to 10 educators and Spain planned the Final Conference. The fourth newsletter was produced and distributed. Partners supported 10 families to use the Family Learning Toolkit in a family learning environment.

The sustainable approach to family learning proposed by the IRENE project is to first deliver a project that is specific to the needs, competences and interests of adult learners and parents in our region, where the project will be initially piloted, and then to build a model of family learning that can be transferred to other communities in the region, nationwide and then throughout Europe. IRENE project delivered three concrete Results: PR2: Programme for Parents to Build Positive Family Relationships. MAIN IMPACT/OBJECTIVE: Empowered parents fully aware about domestic violence, with developed understanding on how to develop and maintain healthy relationships within their family, improved communication skills to resolve conflicts safely and peacefully, developed self-awareness and self-care routines. PR3: Family Learning Toolkit – Comic Strips, Interactive Digital Magazines and Audio Book. MAIN IMPACT/OBJECTIVE: to provide resources to all family members, young and old, in order to support them to build positive relationships within the family unit and to foster positive behaviours. PR4: In-service Training Programme for Adult Educators. MAIN IMPACT/OBJECTIVE: Adult educators are fully trained to act as family learning facilitators and to harness the potential of the IRENE educational resources