Labris – Lesbian Human Rights Organization

Reported amount

$53,713

Contribution type

financial

Flow type

Standard

Donor

UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women

Recipient agency

Labris – Lesbian Human Rights Organization

Destination

Serbia

Plan

Unspecified

Sector

Protection - Gender-Based Violence

Decision date

31 Oct 2024

First reported

01 Apr 2025

Reference

27_21285

Multi-Sector - GBV Programming The proposed project by Labris is a comprehensive initiative to prevent and address partner violence in same-sex partnerships of LBTQ women and ensure an adequate response from competent authorities. The need for this project arises from a general lack of awareness of partner violence in same-sex relationships in the LBTQ women community and a lack of sensitivity and support from state institutions, particularly in the context of Serbia. This project addresses these critical gaps through targeted interventions, focusing on the victims and the broader institutional framework responsible for protecting their rights. LBTQ women in Serbia face significant challenges, including widespread discrimination, social stigmatization, and limited access to support services. Partner violence is a pervasive issue within this community, yet it remains largely unreported due to fear, mistrust of authorities, and the lack of tailored support services. The inadequate response from law enforcement and other relevant institutions further intensifies the vulnerability of LBTQ women, leaving them without the necessary protection and support. This project is designed to address these critical issues by enhancing the capacity of LBTQ women to recognize and report violence while simultaneously working to improve the responsiveness and sensitivity of state institutions. The primary beneficiaries of this project are LBTQ women and LBTQ women survivors of partner violence across Serbia. These women, often marginalized and underserved, will receive direct support through educational activities and access to an SOS hotline. All services and activities will be free of charge, ensuring accessibility for all LBTQ women regardless of class, race, or social status. The secondary beneficiaries include representatives of state institutions such as the police, social work centers, the prosecutor’s office, civil society organizations (CSOs), human rights defenders, and activists. These groups will be targeted through training sessions aimed at improving their understanding of LBTQ-specific issues and enhancing their capacity to respond effectively to cases of partner violence. Labris will implement a multi-faceted approach to achieve the project’s objectives. Key interventions include Educational Activities: Workshops and training sessions for LBTQ women focused on recognizing the signs of partner violence, understanding their rights, and learning how to report incidents safely and effectively. Capacity Building for State Institutions: Training sessions for police officers, social workers, prosecutors, and other relevant stakeholders. Awareness-Raising Campaigns: Public campaigns aimed at increasing awareness of LBTQ partner violence. These campaigns will target the general public and potential victims, to reduce stigma and encourage more survivors to come forward. Research: Research to gather data on the prevalence and nature of LBTQ partner violence in Serbia. SOS Hotline: Establishing a dedicated hotline to provide immediate support, guidance, and emotional assistance to survivors of LBTQ partner violence. The project will be implemented nationally, with activities taking place across various regions in Serbia. While the headquarters of Labris is in Belgrade, the project will reach out to LBTQ women in multiple cities and rural areas, ensuring that the interventions are accessible to a wide range of beneficiaries. The inclusion of the Local Networks for Prevention of Discrimination and Support for LGBTI Community, established in seven cities (Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, Novi Pazar, Pancevo, Subotica, and Kragujevac), will be instrumental in decentralizing the project and ensuring broader geographic coverage. The expected outcomes of this project are (1) Increased awareness and recognition of partner violence among LBTQ women, leading to a higher rate of reporting and seeking help and (2) Improved response and support mechanisms for LBTQ women survivors within state institutions and civil society organizations. By working closely with both marginalized women and the institutions responsible for their protection, Labris aims to create a safer and more inclusive environment where LBTQ women can live free from violence and discrimination. This four-year project, with a budget of 240,000.00, aims to create long-term systemic change in the prevention and elimination of partner violence in LBTQ women relationships in Serbia.