The Counseling Center Against Domestic Violence is an organization based in Belgrade, operating continuously since July 8th, 1996. It was founded with the goal of providing help, support, and protection to women and children who are victims of domestic violence. For nearly three decades, our organization has served as a safe refuge, a place of trust, and a source of empowerment for those who have experienced abuse.
Through more than 20 years of dedicated work, the Counseling Center has helped thousands of women and children escape violent environments, overcome crises, and—most importantly—rediscover their dignity, self-confidence, and belief in a better life. Our work stands as proof that it is possible to break free from the cycle of violence when there is a support system that listens, understands, and takes action without judgment.
The growing number of calls we receive each year reflects increasing public awareness of the problem of violence, as well as the growing trust women and survivors have in institutions and organizations that can help them. Domestic violence is no longer a topic kept silent—it is discussed openly, written about, and increasingly regulated by law, which further empowers women to seek help.
Our work is organized through several levels of support:
1. First Contact – Psychological and Counseling Support
Since our founding, one of the core forms of assistance we provide has been individual counseling for women who have experienced violence. Counseling is conducted by phone, in person, or online, and is led by qualified counselors who offer empathy, knowledge, and experience to help women understand their situation and recognize the options available to them.
2. Legal Assistance
The Counseling Center provides free legal aid, offered by engaged attorneys with extensive experience in family and criminal law.
3. Shelter in the Safe House
When the safety of women and children is threatened, we provide shelter in a Safe House—at a confidential location, with full security measures in place. Beyond physical safety, residents have access to comprehensive professional support: psychological assistance, social and legal protection, psycho-educational workshops, and group therapy that helps empowerment and fosters connection among residents.
Our goal is not only to protect—but to empower. During their stay in a Safe House, women prepare for a new beginning: we coordinate with institutions, help them exercise their rights, find employment, reconnect with the community, and continue life free from violence.
The first Safe House within the Counseling Center was opened on November 1st, 2000. Today, the Counseling Center manages three Safe Houses, allowing us to meet the needs of diverse users and ensure rapid and effective crisis response.
The significance of our work is not measured only in numbers, but in human stories. Behind every call, every intervention, and every stay in a Safe House stands a human life—a woman who has rediscovered her strength, a child who continues to grow up in safety, a family that has left violence behind and built a new life.
Our mission is to ensure that violence is not seen as a private matter, but as a social problem we must solve together. Every woman who reaches out to us is not alone—there is someone to listen, understand, and extend a helping hand.
The Counseling Center Against Domestic Violence continues its work with the belief that a society without violence is possible—through solidarity, support, and systemic solutions.
