Yuzhnyi Kazakhstan, #109 (18/493) 05/09/2008
O.Sivcova

   "What can I do? Can I call for help? It is a shame because he is my only son!" asks Irina G. (name changed) daily; particularly, during the times when she hurt so bad that the touch of her little son's hands caused pain.
   Irina's whole life was for her son Ivan, but she was in a situation that was not good for her or her child. In principle, this type of situation is rather typical. Unfortunately, love for a child does not necessarily mean that there is something good between and husband and wife. Irina felt her freedom of action being refused very early. Her husband became an alcoholic and began to drink himself to a position where he would accuse Irina of all failures. Then the relationship began to be physically abusive. Irina G. tried to continue to love him in any state: drunk, sober, evil, but everything has a limit.
   The Legal Center for Women's Initiative's "Sana Sezim" received a call for help from this hopeless woman. After listening to the story of Irina G. they understood that it would be necessary to involve the state law enforcement. Meanwhile, psychologists at "Sana Sezim" are able to help mothers cope with stress, consult with the son, and show a viewing of an Anti-Violence Against Women in South Kazakhstan DVD. The result of the joint work between NGOs and state bodies, like this, does not take long: a month later Irina G. called and excitedly told of an improving situation of her and her son.
   "When we must address problems such as domestic violence against women or children, we very often must involve the law enforcement agencies," says Vice-President of "Sana Sezim", Shakhnoza Khasanov, "Because speaking with our psychologist is often not sufficient to restrain abusers."
   Partnerships between NGOs and government agencies do not end here. There are regular joint round tables and seminars with representatives from the Division of Juvenile Custody and Guardianship, county offices of education, health care, and employment, centers for healthy lifestyles, children's homes, and so forth.