Difficult Life Situations
Anyone can find themselves in a difficult situation that they are unable to resolve on their own and may need advice or a helping hand from someone else. In the Czech Republic, there is a well-developed and relatively well-functioning social system that helps prevent people from falling 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 are available.
- Loss of Housing & Homelessness
- Drug Addiction
- Labour Exploitation
- Domestic Violence
- Gambling
- Debts and Bankruptcy
Loss of Housing & Homelessness
You can lose your home and become homeless quite quickly. Most often, the reason is some kind of hardship related to divorce, serious illness, loss of employment (together with a loss of regular income), seizure of assets, etc.
If you find yourself in a situation where you have “lost the roof over your head”, contact the following organisations, which offer advisory services as well as overnight accommodation, basic sanitation, food, and clothing.
The national umbrella organisation bringing together entities that deal with the issue of homelessness is the S.A.D. platform (Síť aktérů pro domov, z.s.). Its website contains a map of organisations that provide services to people in need.
Link:
Some Prague-based organisations that help people experiencing homelessness can be found here.
Drug Addiction
The following organisations provide information about drug-related issues, help with addiction treatment and provide free syringe exchanges to help prevent the spread of illnesses among drug users.
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, foreign nationals often become victims of labour exploitation. Victims are lured by false promise of well-paid work and are then exploited, most often through forced labour. Very often, the victims are also obliged to repay debts for job placement, borrowed work equipment etc. This is a form of human trafficking. It includes both labour and sexual exploitation.
How do you know that you have become a victim of human trafficking?
- – Your employer does not provide you with an employment contract.
- – Your employer makes you perform work which does not fall within your job description.
- – Your employer makes you perform dangerous or 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 take breaks to eat, drink, or go to the toilet.
- – Your employer does not pay you the agreed wage or pays only part of it.
- – You are subjected to forced sexual exploitation (mainly concerning women).
- – Other…
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be a victim of exploitation, contact one of the following NGOs which 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 (Bliss without Risk)
Bolzanova 1, 110 00 Prague 1
+420 224 234 453
You can also contact the Police of the Czech Republic directly by calling 158!
Domestic Violence
Any kind of violence, including violence within the family, is an offence. Domestic violence is not limited to physical violence but also includes 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 consisting of a Czech person and a foreign national. Foreign nationals who become victims of domestic violence experience the same pain and humiliation as other people, but compared with Czech citizens, their position is often even more disadvantaged. Their vulnerability may be caused by a lack of knowledge of the Czech language, limited awareness of their rights, social isolation, and restrictions related to their residence in the CR. For these reasons, they may be 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. It may also be 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 free legal, social and psychosocial counselling 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 (personal consultations only; accommodation is provided elsewhere at a private address)
NONSTOP telephone line: 283 892 772
ACORUS provides emergency assistance, including 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 committed in connection with domestic violence, and flats providing subsequent accommodation assistance at a private address. Services are provided in Czech; other languages are available in cooperation with SIMI and intercultural workers.
Bílý kruh bezpečí (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 gambling, 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 problems.
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, arranging payment schedules, 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