SKALBES, Latvia

Society “Skalbes” was established in 1997 as Crisis Telephone. Crisis Centre “Skalbes” was open in 1999 with support of Phare Consensus program, and it was the first professional crisis intervention centre in Latvia. Since then Crisis centre has managed to receive sustainable funding for project “24h psychological help for citizens of Riga city” from Riga Municipality. The aim of non-governmental organization Society “Skalbes” is to provide 24-hour crisis intervention service for for children and adults in crisis situations. “Skalbes” primary activity is to provide in-walk and telephone psychological consultations in crisis situations such as spousal abuse, child abuse, suicide, death of relatives, sudden loss of work, loneliness, terminal illness, etc. This is the first crisis intervention center in Latvia. It also cooperates with other aid organizations in Latvia: police, hospitals, social services, and other psychological aid organizations. Crisis Telephone line 7222922 is available 24 hours, seven days a week, offering psychological consultations and information about aid available in Latvia. Crisis Center “Skalbes” organizes seminars for other organizations in such topics: domestic violence, child abuse, stress and self-help, crisis intervention basic principles, accidents and sudden traumatic events, communication and interrelationship skills. “Skalbes” also organizes support groups for women who suffer from sexual abuse and domestic violence, children and youth support groups, self-support groups for men. Since the Centre started its services, it has successfully implemented a number of projects which had impact on and improved social services in Latvia regarding domestic violence against women, and transfered of our know-how to other countries. Crisis Centre “Skalbes” is experienced in networking, policy development, lobbying, and it successfully co-operates with governmental and local organizations.