List of Organizations Supporting Victims of Violence

11 August 2023

We present a list of aid organizations focused on victims of violence among refugees from Ukraine. The list is divided by provinces, which will make it easier to locate the nearest support centers. Additionally, we highlight nationwide contacts that may be helpful in emergency situations.

Before we get to the list, we will briefly discuss the key forms of systemic aid available in Poland. The first of these are social assistance centers—public institutions that offer support for people in crisis, including refugees. The second are Centers for Assistance to Victims of Crime.

Remember: even if your situation is really difficult, numerous organizations and institutions in Poland are ready to help you. As you read on, you will find out where to look for support.

Ośrodki Pomocy Społecznej

In Poland, the systemic support for victims of violence is provided by municipal and city social assistance centers, commonly known as OPS. The OPS relevant to the place of residence offers help to all Ukrainian citizens and their families who are legally residing in Poland and find themselves in difficult situations. It’s important for these individuals to have a PESEL number (Polish national identification number). Social assistance centers mainly operate when violence has already been reported, for example, if the family has been included in the Blue Card procedure. A person experiencing violence can also approach the center independently. However, there is no guarantee that assistance will be provided in Ukrainian or Russian. Additionally, OPS centers do not offer legal or psychological assistance.

Continue reading on Mapuj Pomoc: Blue Card – A Tool for Victims of Domestic Violence.

For more information on how to access assistance from social assistance centers, visit the website of the Legal Intervention Association [Stowarzyszenie Interwencji Prawnej]. You can find a database of all social assistance centers operating in Polish municipalities, cities, and villages here.

Justice Fund Assistance Centers

Anyone who has been a victim of a crime, including violence, can seek assistance at a Center for Assistance to Victims of Crime. Within the Support Network operating across Poland, there are 305 assistance service locations. To find a center nearest to your place of residence, use the search engine.

Contact List: Find Local Assistance

Masovian Voivodeship:

  • Centrum Praw Kobiet [Women’s Rights Center], Warsaw – Provides legal, psychological, and housing assistance to women experiencing violence. Also helps with career and personal development. Offers integration and educational activities, including for elderly people and children. Contact: [email protected], phone number: +48 800 107 777.
  • Fundacja Polskie Forum Migracyjne [Polish Migration Forum Foundation], Warsaw – Offers wide-ranging support to people of all nationalities. You can apply either directly to the center in Warsaw or by phone at +48 692 913 993.
  • Centrum Wsparcia Kobiet [Women’s Support Center] (Dobry Start Foundation), Warsaw – A safe space where female migrants can seek help in personal and professional matters. Provides assistance related to domestic violence as well as legal, psychological, career, and language-learning advice. Free assistance in your own language, including Russian and Ukrainian, can be obtained by calling +48 736 380 203. You can also visit the center in person in Warsaw (13 Elektoralna Street).
  • Centrum Pomocy Dzieciom [Children’s Help Center] (Dajemy Dzieciom Siłę Foundation), Warsaw and surrounding areas – Offers assistance to children up to 18 years old who have experienced violence or sexual abuse, or who are involved in criminal proceedings as victims or witnesses. Also helps non-abusive parents or guardians. Children and parents suspecting harm can report to the center. Reporting is done at the following number: +48 22 826 88 62.
  • Mirnyj Dom (Humanosh), Warsaw and Nadarzyn – Provides refugees in difficult situations, including those experiencing violence, with accommodation and psychological support. Phone number: +48 669 258 619.
  • Zespół Ośrodków Wsparcia [Support Center Team], Piastów – Within the framework of ZOW, there is a Crisis Intervention Center and a Specialized Support Center for Victims of Family Violence. The former provides medical, livelihood, psychological, and legal assistance. The latter offers, among other things, counseling, support groups, and crisis interventions.

Lesser Poland Voivodeship:

  • Solidarnościowe Centrum Feministyczne Fundacji Autonomia [Solidarity Feminist Center of the Autonomia Foundation], Krakow – Runs a support group for female migrants and people with refugee experiences, primarily from Ukraine and Belarus. Assistance is also available for individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community.
  • Punkt Informacyjny dla Obcokrajowców [Information Point for Foreigners], Krakow – Provides help including for those affected by discrimination or victims of violence. On Mondays and Tuesdays, it also offers free legal assistance.
  • Ośrodek Interwencji Kryzysowej [Crisis Intervention Center], Wadowice – Takes action for people and families in crisis situations. The goal of crisis intervention is to restore psychological balance and the ability to cope independently, also for victims of domestic violence. The center also provides shelter.
  • Okręgowy Ośrodek Pomocy Pokrzywdzonym Przestępstwem [District Center for Assistance to Victims of Crime], Krakow – Offers a wide range of support for people affected by violence, including material and financial assistance. Also helps witnesses of violence.

Lower Silesian Voivodeship:

  • Fundacja Początek [Początek Foundation] – Migrant Integration Center, Jelenia Góra – The foundation routinely supports refugees in integrating and settling in a new country. Helps in crisis situations and in finding shelter.
  • Stowarzyszenie Pomocy AKSON [AKSON Assistance Association], Wrocław – Provides help to individuals affected by violence. 24-hour hotline: +48 71 352 94 03.
  • Fundacja Ukraina [Ukraine Foundation], Wrocław – Offers informational support. Free consultations are conducted in four languages – Ukrainian, Polish, Russian, and English!

Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship:

Łódź Voivodeship:

  • Łódzkie Centrum Wielokulturowe [Łódź Multicultural Center] – Offers a wide range of support provided in 5 languages: Polish, English, Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian.
  • Fundacja Ocalenie [Ocalenie Foundation], Łódź – The Ocalenie Foundation also has an office in Łódź. It offers support for female and male migrants experiencing discrimination and violence.

Subcarpathian Voivodeship:

Pomeranian Voivodeship:

  • Ośrodek Interwencji Kryzysowej [Crisis Intervention Center], Gdańsk – Emergency phone line for Ukrainian children and adolescents. The phone line is operated by a specialist from the CIC on weekdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in Polish, Ukrainian, and Russian languages.
  • Centrum Pomocy Dzieciom [Children’s Support Center] (Foundation Giving Strength to Children), Gdańsk and surrounding areas – The services offered by the Children’s Support Center in Gdańsk are aimed at children and adolescents who have experienced various forms of violence, including emotional, physical, sexual abuse, or have witnessed crimes.

Silesia:

  • Ośrodek Interwencji Kryzysowej [Crisis Intervention Center], Katowice – The center undertakes interventions in crisis situations and in response to incoming signals about violence, child abuse, and the mistreatment of the elderly and disabled. In special cases, the center takes “official” legal actions on behalf of its clients, with particular emphasis on the situation and safety of children. It also provides social, psychological assistance and shelter. The center also helps with alcohol-related issues.

Greater Poland:

  • Punkt Interwencji Kryzysowej – Miejskie Centrum Interwencji Kryzysowej [Crisis Intervention Point – Urban Crisis Intervention Center], Poznań – This is a safe space where professional and free support is available around the clock in a crisis, including in Ukrainian and Russian languages.esjonalne i bezpłatne wsparcie w kryzysie, także w języku ukraińskim i rosyjskim.
  • Fundacja Centrum Praw Kobiet [Women’s Rights Center Foundation], Poznań – Primarily provides psychological support for Ukrainian women in Ukrainian and Russian languages. It also runs support and integration groups.

West Pomeranian:

All of Poland:

Feminoteka – Feminoteka offers support for refugee women who have experienced violence, particularly sexual violence. It addresses all forms of violence—psychological, physical, economic, and sexual—both within and outside the family. Every woman can seek help: older, younger, lesbian, heterosexual, transgender. Phone contact: +48 888 88 79 88 (from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM).

Fundacja La Strada [La Strada Foundation] – helps individuals who have become victims of human trafficking, forced labor, and slavery. It offers legal, psychological, and social assistance. La Strada also provides safe shelter, cultural mediation, and medical assistance if needed. They also operate a 24/7 helpline for victims and their families: +48 605 687 750 (also available via WhatsApp).

Fundacja Dajemy Dzieciom Siłę – 116 111 Helpline for Children and Young People – the helpline is anonymous and free, operating 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Children can talk about anything, from everyday troubles to situations where they experience or witness violence.

Платформа Допомоги Врятованим | Platforma Pomocy Ocalałym – Platform for Survivors Assistance compiles contacts of key support services for victims of various types of violence during wartime. If you have experienced or witnessed any kind of violence, the platform serves as a compass in seeking ways to overcome trauma and choosing the most appropriate support service.

You can find all these and other support points in the Mapuj Pomoc database.