Difficult Life Situations
Anyone can fall into a difficult situation that they are not able to solve themselves and may need advice or a helping hand from someone else. In the Czech Republic, there is a well-developed and fairly well-functioning social system that helps prevent individuals from slipping through the net.
In this chapter, you will learn whom to contact if you find yourself in a crisis situation and where to seek help. We hope that you will never have to use these services, but it is good to know they exist nonetheless.
- Loss of Housing & Homelessness
- Drug Addiction
- Labour Exploitation
- Domestic Violence
- Gambling
- Debts and Bankruptcy
Loss of Housing & Homelessness
You can lose your place of living and become homeless quite quickly. Most often, the reason is some kind of hardship related to a divorce, a serious illness, a job loss (together with a loss of regular income), seizure of assets etc.
If you get into a situation where you “lose the roof over your head”, contact the following organisations which offer advisory services as well as overnight stays, basic sanitation, food and clothing.
The national umbrella organisation which unites entities that deal with the issue of homelessness is the S.A.D. platform (Síť aktérů pro domov, z.s.). On their website there is a map of entities which provide services to people in need.
Link:
Some Prague-based organisations which help homeless people can be found on here.
Drug Addiction
The following organisations provide information about drug issues, help with addiction treatment and provide free syringe exchanges, so that the spread of illnesses among drug users can be prevented.
Drop In, o. p. s.
Karolíny Světlé 18, 110 00 Prague 1
+420 222 221 124
Sananim, o. s.
Na Skalce 819/15, 150 00 Prague 5
+420 283 872 186
Prev-Centrum
Meziškolská 1120/2, 169 00 Prague 6
+420 233 355 459 +420 777 161 138
Labour Exploitation
Unfortunately, migrants often become victims of labour exploitation. Victims are lured by a false promise of well-paid work and then abused, most often through forced labour. Very often, the victims are also obliged to pay back debts for job mediation, borrowed work equipment etc. This is called human trafficking. It includes labour as well as sexual exploitation.
How do you know that you have become a victim of human trafficking?
- – Your employer does not make a work contract with you.
- – Your employer makes you perform work which does not fall within your job description.
- – Your employer makes you perform dangerous, life-threatening work.
- – You work in an environment, which is life-threatening or you have not been provided with sufficient protective equipment.
- – Your employer does not allow you to have a break to eat, drink or go to the toilet.
- – Your employer does not pay you the agreed wage or pays only a part of it.
- – You are in a situation of forced sexual exploitation (mainly concerning women).
- – Other…
If you have any concerns that you or someone you know may be a victim of exploitation, contact the following NGOs which will provide help and advice:
La Strada
P.O. Box 305, Prague 1, 111 21
+420 222 717 171, mobile phone: +420 603 153 465 (available 24/7)
Caritas of the Archdiocese of Prague – Magdala project
Londýnská 44, 120 00 Prague 2
+420 736 764 706
ROZKOŠ bez RIZIKA
Bolzanova 1, 110 00 Praha 1
+420 224 234 453
You can also contact the Police of the CR directly by calling 158!
Domestic Violence
Any kind of violence, including violence within the family, is an offence. Domestic violence is not only physical violence but also long-term humiliation or verbal abuse.
Domestic violence knows no limits. It can take place between people of the same nationality, as well as in a mixed couple of a Czech person and a migrant. Migrants who become victims of domestic violence feel the same pain and humiliation as other people, but compared with Czech citizens, their position is often even more disadvantaged. Their vulnerability is caused by a lack of knowledge of the Czech language, limited awareness of their rights, social isolation, and restrictions on their residence in the CR. For these reasons, they are easy targets. They may not know how to defend themselves effectively or may be afraid to do so. They are usually dependent on a family member who uses violence against them. Often, it is also difficult for them to access professional services, or they may not trust such services.
If you become a victim of domestic violence or know someone who may be a victim, contact the Police of the CR directly (tel. 158) or one of the following specialised NGOs:
SIMI (Association for Integration and Migration)
Baranova 33, Prague 3
+420 224 224 379, 603 547 450
SIMI provides legal, social and psychosocial counselling free of charge in Czech, Russian, English and French. Other languages can be provided through interpreting by an intercultural worker.
ACORUS – a centre for people endangered by domestic violence
Dělnická 213/12, Prague 7 (only personal consultations; accommodation is provided elsewhere at a private address)
NONSTOP telephone line: 283 892 772
ACORUS provides emergency assistance – emergency accommodation at a private address, asylum accommodation at a private address, counselling for people endangered by domestic violence, legal information for victims of crimes commited in connection with domestic violence, flats of subsequent accomodation assistance at a private address. Services are provided in Czech; other languages are available in cooperation with SIMI and intercultural workers.
White Circle of Safety
U Trojice 2, 150 00 Prague 5
+420 257 317 100
Intervention Centre Prague
Chelčického 39, 130 00 Prague 3
+420 281 911 883, +420 734 510 292
www.csspraha.cz/intervencni-centrum
proFem, o. p. s.
Plzeňská 66, 150 00 Prague 5
+420 608 22 22 77
Rosa, o. s.
Podolská 242/25, 147 00 Prague 4
+420 241 432 466
SOS line: +420 602 246 102
Gambling
Gambling, or addiction to it, is an illness that can lead to debts of hundreds of thousands or even millions of Czech crowns, loss of employment, friends, and family, and serious health issues.
Most often, gamblers are addicted to slotmachines or card games (including online versions).
For advice and help, contact the following organisation:
Stop závislosti, o. s. (“Stop Addiction”)
+420 775 122 273
Debts and Bankruptcy
Anyone can get into financial difficulties that may culminate in debts or seizure of assets. If you find yourself in such a situation, contact the following NGOs, which provide information about resolving debts, payment scheduling, personal bankruptcy, etc.
Maltese Aid
Lázeňská 2, 118 00 Prague 1
+420 736 620 894
Counselling in Stringency
Americká 22, 120 00 Prague 2
+420 222 922 240