Artemis
-Cluj-
Contact person: Maria Popa, President.
Contact Info: 0264/598155
Interview with: Mrs. Szekely Iulia, Psychologist
Interview by: Joseph Martin and Gratiela Anghelus
Victim Referral-
Victim referrals come from the ANITP. The average age of victims assisted by Artemis is 18-25 years, although some victims have been over 40 years old.
Services-
Current services at Artemis include:
-Psychological counseling (individual and group)
-Financial Aid
-Medical Assistance
-Legal Assistance
-Professional Training
Intervention plans are created on an individual basis, based on the needs of the victim.
In 6 months of service in 2008, Artemis supported 33 victims
Location-
Artemis is located in the same building as FRCCF (Romanian Foundation for Child, Family and Community) and is very accessible. The office building is well maintained and quiet. The office where the interview was held is the same room where individual counseling takes place.
Length of Stay-
9-12 months in program
Personnel-
Pyschologists, social workers.
Other-
Iulia did not mention a fixed period she believed was ideal for reintegration, but that the period should be sufficient for gaining increased autonomy.
+Artemis operated a victim’s shelter in 2005 and 2006, but lost funding from Holland and the shelter was closed. The following information refers to this shelter.
Victim Referral-
Victim referrals came from the IOM, the police, and ANITP. From 1998 to 2005 all referrals came from the IOM. The average age of victims during the operation of the shelter was 14 years.
Services-
Services offered included:
-Psychological counseling at a counseling center
-medical assistance
-Legal services
-Emergency services consist mainly in the provision of basic needs: food, clothing, footwear, medical treatment.
Length of Stay-
Average length of stay in the shelter was 1 year.
Shelter Facilities-
The shelter was a 4-room apartment in a secret location, known only by relevant staff and police. The apartment housed two girls to a room. The apartment was rented space.
Security-
Victims were not permitted to use cellular telephones. Secure doors and windows were installed in the apartment. A private security company was contracted that could be contacted by a panic button. Confidentiality agreements were signed by each beneficiary regarding the program and location of the shelter.
Ms. Szekely stated that security provided for minors is different than that for adults, as minors need non-stop supervision.
Iulia stated that in cases where external assistance was necessary, a confidentiality agreement is made, and beneficiary history is not fully divulged to avoid discrimination and labeling.
Funding-
Funding for this shelter was provided by Holland.
Costs-
An amount of 250-300 Euro were spent for monthly maintenance, though this does not include wages and service costs. Iulia noted that costs vary greatly depending on the needs of the victim.
Other-
The Ms. Szekely is of the opinion that in terms of confidentiality, a shelter can be maintained for 2-3 years maximum before it is recommended that the location be moved.
Ms. Szekely also mentioned that it is very important that the team that takes care of victims should be female if victims are also female victims of sexual exploitation. She advised that a shelter would best operate with 4-5 rooms as well as a room for crisis situations. It was emphasized that any crisis or emergency space must be located in a different area from the rest of the shelter.
