The scientific conference "Domestic Violence in Poland. Between theory and practice" - interdisciplinary debate with important recommendations

On 13 June 2025, the Institute of Internal Security and Criminology of the College of Vocational Training in Wrocław organised an interdisciplinary scientific conference entitled 'The importance of internal security and criminology'. "Domestic Violence in Poland. Between theory and practice".. The event was held in an online format, which allowed wide and comfortable access for participants from different parts of Poland - both from academia and social practice institutions.

The conference was attended by a total of more than 550 participantsincluding representatives of the uniformed services, the judiciary, social workers, psychologists, educators, representatives of public administration, NGOs and academia. The event consisted of three parallel thematic panels:

• Law and practice (Moderator: Dr Janusz Bryk);
• A legal and empirical approach (Moderator: Dr Milena Zajkowska);
• Interinstitutional cooperation - practice (Moderator: Tomasz Czaja, MA).

The conference was opened by Dr Irena Malinowska, Prof. WSKZ - Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Dr Janusz Bryk - Director of the Institute of Internal Security and Criminology. The opening lecture was given by Dr Magdalena El Ghamari, focusing on violence, radicalisation and the situation of minors in refugee camps.

Main scientific conclusions and recommendations from the conference

The conference culminated in concrete, clearly outlined conclusions and demands - both scientific and practical. They indicated inter alia. for need:

1. Adoption of a comprehensive law on missing persons - The current state of the law is mainly based on executive acts (e.g. Police orders), which results in inconsistent procedures and limited effectiveness of institutions' actions. The proposed law should unambiguously regulate the duties of services and the rights of persons reporting a missing person.
2. Better coordination of inter-institutional cooperation - Effective protection of people experiencing domestic violence requires a synergy of action between the police, prosecutors' offices, courts, social welfare centres, NGOs and local institutions.
3. Recognition of the link between domestic violence and disappearances - in many cases, disappearances are the result of psychological and physical violence. It was advocated that specific response pathways should be developed in cases where the disappearance may be the result of an escape from or escalation of violence.
4. Systemic support for families of missing persons - solutions are needed to ensure that families have access to information about the progress of their case, as well as psychological and organisational support.
5. Increasing the availability of training and interdisciplinary education - The conference showed a real educational gap regarding the issue of violence. Participants recommended organising training and workshops combining different professional perspectives.
6. The cyclical nature of the event - There were numerous voices pointing to the need to continue the initiative in future years, which could create a space for the systematic exchange of knowledge and good practice.

Positive reception and wide access to materials

Participants rated the event very highly - both in terms of the level of content, the selection of speakers and the technical organisation. The conference was prepared with great care - from communicating with participants, to maintaining the website, to distributing certificates and materials. The use of the MS Teams platform, as well as a back-up option in Google Meet, allowed for a smooth transmission and interaction with participants.

As announced, presentations from selected lectures have been published on the official conference websitewhich can be downloaded or viewed online. This is an excellent opportunity for people who were unable to attend the event or who want to return to particular topics to familiarise themselves with the content.

📎 Access to presentations: https://konferencjawroclaw.pl/elementor-1213/

Thank you for your collective reflection and commitment

The organisers would like to thank all speakers and participants for their active participation and openness to dialogue. The conference "Domestic Violence in Poland. Between theory and practice" was not only an academic event, but also a space for real exchange of experience, knowledge and recommendations, which we hope will be used in institutional and legislative practice.

Participation of WSKZ representatives in the 11th Wrocław Women's Forum

The Centennial Hall Congress Centre in Wrocław hosted the eleventh edition of the Wrocław Women's Forum - a nationwide event aimed at supporting women's activism, promoting the idea of gender equality and strengthening leadership competences. We are proud to announce that this year's Forum was attended by Vice-Dean for Student Affairs of the College of Vocational Training - Dr Aneta Kazanecka and students of our University.

Organised by the Western Chamber of Commerce - Employers and Entrepreneurs, the Forum brought together several hundred participants from across the region. The event's programme included panel discussions with representatives from the world of business and science, expert talks on topics including leadership, finance, cognitive errors, the role of new technologies and mental toughness, as well as mindfulness sessions and motivational speeches.

The theme of this year's meeting was: "Woman leader aware of change". Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of empathy, authenticity and self-awareness in the context of contemporary social and professional challenges. The participation of WSKZ representatives in the Women's Forum is an important element in the implementation of our University's mission to support the personal and professional development of students, promote civic attitudes and active participation in public life.

Online workshop: Applying psychological tests in practice - calculating results, norms and interpretation

Join us for an online workshop led by Dr Pavel Larionov, which will help you develop practical skills in the use of psychological tests. The workshop will focus on self-report questionnaires on emotion regulation and other emotion-related psychological constructs. You will learn how to correctly calculate scores, apply norms and interpret the data obtained.

Workshop dates:

• 27 June 2025.
• 14 July 2025.
• Time: 19:00-20:30
• Form: online

Workshop programme:

• Learning how to calculate psychological test results.
• Application of standards in practice.
• Interpretation of the results of self-report questionnaires, especially those on emotion regulation.

Target group:
The workshop is aimed at first-, second- and third-semester psychology students who want to deepen their knowledge of psychological testing and its application in practice.

Seat limit:

• 100 people for each workshop (registration required).

Sign up for a workshop and develop your skills in the area of psychological testing and interpretation of results!

Online workshop: Diagnosing addiction - how to talk, recognise and respond

Join us for a unique online workshop to help you explore the practical aspects of addiction diagnosis. The workshop will be led by Dr Agata Niezabitowska - psychologist, addiction psychotherapist and doctor of social sciences in psychology. We will deal with both addictions to psychoactive substances and problematic behaviour such as gambling or addiction to internet use.

Workshop date:

• 9.07.2025 i 10.07.2025
• Time: 18:00-20:00

In the workshop programme:

• Dispelling the myths about addiction - understanding the most common misconceptions about addiction.
• Diagnostic criteria - how to correctly identify addiction, both physical and behavioural.
• Case study - case study in the context of diagnosis and treatment of addiction.
• Safe talk - how to have a conversation with someone you suspect of having an addiction, and how to responsibly indicate where they can get help.

The workshop is aimed at those working or planning to work with young people and adults, particularly in the context of mental health, educational and diagnostic support. It is an excellent opportunity to enrich your knowledge and skills in the area of working with people with addiction problems.

Places are limited - a maximum of 40 participants. Participation is determined on a first-come, first-served basis.

Don't miss out on this opportunity - sign up now to gain practical skills in the area of addiction diagnosis and effective response to addiction problems.

Take part in a scientific study and help us explore how the world affects mental health

Climate change, the threat of war, social media - these are just some of the aspects that shape our lives and can affect our psyche. In order to be able to see the broader context of such issues, we have prepared research to help us better understand the links between these phenomena and mental health.

How can you help?

The survey is anonymous and will take no longer than 25 minutes to complete. Your answers will be confidential and used for aggregate analysis only. Taking part in the survey is an opportunity to make a real contribution to the development of knowledge about mental health in the context of contemporary challenges.

Advantages of participating in the study:

• anonymity - Your data will be treated confidentially;
• duration - The survey will take approximately 25 minutes to complete;
• security - The results will only be used for research purposes and analysed collectively;
• value for science - Your answers will contribute to research on the impact of contemporary phenomena on mental health.

How to take part?

All you have to do is fill in the form available at the link below. Remember that every vote matters and contributes to a better understanding of the impact of modern phenomena on our health.

Link to the study: Research - Climate and society and mental wellbeing

Your involvement in the study will help not only to advance research, but also to create a better future for us all. Thank you for your participation!

Psychology students on a field trip to the Detention Centre in Wrocław

Second and third semester psychology students had the opportunity to participate in an unusual practical lesson - a two-hour field trip to the Detention Centre in Wrocław. It was a unique opportunity to see with their own eyes what the work of a penitentiary psychologist looks like in real conditions. The meeting was led by experienced Dr Marta Jastrzębska, who shared her knowledge and experience in this specific field.

The culmination of an online workshop

The organised field trip was the culmination of a workshop through which students were introduced to the behind-the-scenes work of a penitentiary psychologist, learning about the challenges involved in working with people deprived of their liberty. The class was an opportunity to learn about the process of providing opinions and psychological support in a prison setting. Thanks to the field trip, the students had a great opportunity to learn the theoretical aspects in practice, observing the work of a penitentiary psychologist in the Wrocław Detention Centre.

We wrote more about the workshop in this article.

Online Scientific Conference "Domestic Violence in Poland. Between theory and practice" - 13 June 2025.

The Institute of Homeland Security and Criminology of the College of Vocational Training invites you to participate in a national scientific conference on the phenomenon of domestic violence. The event will take place in an online format on 13 June 2025. The conference provides a space for interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge, reflections and experiences between the world of science and practitioners working to prevent violence.

The aim of the conference is to analyse the issue of domestic violence from three perspectives: legal, criminological and practical. The organisers want to pay particular attention to the existing regulations, the effectiveness of protective procedures and the functioning of support systems. An important element of the event will also be the identification of legal gaps and institutional barriers that affect the effectiveness of actions taken against perpetrators and victims of domestic violence.

What topics will be covered at the meeting?

The event is aimed at representatives of academia, uniformed services officers, judicial staff, psychologists, educators, social workers, members of non-governmental organisations and all those interested in this topic. Participation in the conference is free of charge and each passive participant will receive a personal certificate of participation.

The event will consist of three thematic panels:

Panel I: Practice and institutional support:

• Social support system.
• Local interventions.
• Institutional cooperation.

Panel II: Criminology and data:

• Statistics and scale of the phenomenon.
• The role of law enforcement.
• Enforcement of protective measures.

Panel III: Scientific and legislative perspective:

• Regulatory analysis.
• Effectiveness of legal systems.
• The legislative gap and the need for change.

Didactic dimension of the conference

The conference also has a didactic dimension. Its aim is to inter alia. to disseminate knowledge on procedures related to counteracting violence, to develop the professional competences of participants and to shape their ability to evaluate the effectiveness of legal and institutional actions. The organisers also emphasise the development of interdisciplinary cooperation, enabling contacts to be made between representatives of the various professions and institutions involved in assistance activities.

The notification schedule is as follows:

• until 30.04 - submission of abstracts (active notification form).
• 15.05 - announcement of the conference programme with open access to the platform.
• until 10.06 - to apply for passive participation in the conference via the form available at here (passive application form).
• until 10.06 submission of conference papers and presentations.
• 13.06.2025 – Conference: "Domestic violence in Poland. Between theory and practice'.
• until 28.08 a post-conference publication in a book edition.

We encourage you to visit the website regularly conferenceawroclaw.plwhere all the most important news and answers to frequently asked questions will be published. This is the best source of organisational information - thanks to it, every participant will be up-to-date and properly prepared for the event.

The conference website will be regularly updated. Details of the programme, list of speakers, start times of individual panels, accompanying events, as well as technical and logistical issues will gradually appear there.

Strategic directions of development - meeting of the University authorities with academic staff of the Faculty of Social Sciences

Day 10 June 2025 at 16:00 on the platform Google Meet a three-hour meeting between the University's authorities and representatives of the academic staff of the Faculty of Social Sciences was held, attended by around 120 people. The event was of crucial importance for the future of the Faculty, providing not only a forum for the exchange of ideas but, above all, an opportunity to jointly define the strategic development directions - both in the areas of teaching and research activities.

Highlights of the meeting

During the discussion, key issues affecting the development of the Faculty were discussed:

• Modernisation of the teaching offeradapted to the changing needs of the labour market.
• Strengthening student activities, through the development of mentoring and scholarship programmes.
• Expanding international cooperation, enabling participation in global research projects.
• Use of modern technology, supporting innovative teaching and research methods.

Participants and speakers

The meeting started Managing Director, Dr Bartosz Blaszczak, who discussed organisational matters and the aims of the debate. The following spoke next Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr Irena Malinowska - continued the meeting, emphasising its unique nature as a space for sharing experiences, reflecting on the common academic mission and setting new directions for the university. In her speech, she also stressed the importance of the university's internationalisation, pointing to the active activities of the Centre for International Cooperation and the anticipation of the European Commission's decision on the Erasmus Charter, which will enable further cooperation with prestigious scientific centres around the world.

She also pointed out that the development of the university is based on scientific and publishing activities, encouraging the meeting participants to actively participate in conferences, workshops and the publication of articles in the university's journals.

At the end of the speech, the Dean thanked everyone for their contribution to the academic and scientific development of the University, emphasising that the commitment of the academic community is the foundation for the future of the Faculty. Later in the meeting, the following spoke:

• Acting Dean for Educational Quality, Dr Justyna Jasińska-Rudzka - study directions and teaching objectives;
• Vice-Dean for Student Affairs, Dr Aneta Kazanecka - perspectives on the development of student activities and academic support;
• Dean's Plenipotentiary for Cooperation with the Social and Economic Environment, Dr Wojciech Kazanecki - cooperation initiatives with the business sector and social organisations;
• Vice-Chancellor for Science and Development - development of scientific staff and raising research standards;
• Vice-Chancellor for International Relations - the internationalisation of the University and the development of foreign cooperation.

Development directions of the Institutes

During the meeting directors of scientific institutes presented their visions and development plans in key areas:

• Institute of Criminology and Homeland Security - Dr Janusz Bryk discussed strategies to strengthen crime research and modern methods of providing security.
• Law Institute - Dr Andrzej Chajbowicz presented plans to expand cooperation with legal institutions and innovative training courses.
• Institute of Psychology - Professor Artur Ziolkowski presented new areas of research in social and clinical psychology.
• Institute of Administration and Political Science - Dr Jan Znajdek discussed the development of public management studies and international politics.
• Institute of Management and Quality Sciences - Dr Marika Szymanska pointed to innovative approaches to managing organisations and improving service quality.
• Institute for Media and Social Communication - Professor Aleksander Woźny presented research directions on digital media and communication in the technological age.

Action on social responsibility and equality

The meeting also discussed relevant initiatives:

• Equality and anti-discrimination measures - The Rector's Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment, Małgorzata Piórkowska, presented programmes supporting equal opportunities policies.
• Initiatives for people with disabilities - The Rector's Plenipotentiary for Persons with Disabilities, Dr Damian Wąsik, presented solutions to facilitate access to education.
• Organisational matters in the Office of the Dean - The Director of the Dean's Office, Magdalena Nogga, presented the current administrative announcements.

Summary and conclusions

The meeting was key moment in determining strategic orientations for the development of the Facultyand its participants unanimously stressed the need for further cooperation at academic and scientific level. The University authorities committed to:

• Research development, through increased funding and participation in international projects.
• Strengthening internationalisation, through academic exchange programmes and cooperation with foreign institutions.
• Increasing support for students, through new mentoring and scholarship initiatives.

We would like to thank all participants for their engagement, valuable discussions and inspiring ideas. Together we are building the future of the Faculty and the University as a wholemeeting the challenges of modern science and education!

National International Scientific Conference "Communication and Security in Crisis, Border and Difficult Situations"

On days 5-6 June 2025 the International Scientific Conference on Communication in Crisis and Border Situations was held in Wrocław. The event was organised by Institute of Media and Social Communication of the University of Vocational Training chaired by Prof. Aleksander Woźnyand the conference became a space for interdisciplinary exchanges, reflections and analyses of the mechanisms of conformity, socio-cultural barriers to otherness and the challenges of the aid professions in the face of extreme situations such as armed conflicts, natural disasters or epidemics.

Welcome and opening of the conference

The conference was officially opened on behalf of the University authorities by Dr Irena Malinowska, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the College of Vocational Training in Wrocław, emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue and the need to jointly seek effective solutions for communication in crisis situations.

Inspiring talks and debate

The event started film screening "Waiting for the sky", directed by Alina Mrowinska (2020). The show was held in Sense Factoryfollowed by a moving debate with the documentary's protagonist. dr. n. med. Paweł GrabowskiPresident of the Prophet Elijah Hospice Foundation. The discussion provided an important opportunity to reflect on communication in the face of difficult decisions and borderline situations.

Experts and speakers

The conference was attended by eminent specialists from various fields, as well as students. Speakers included:

• Prof. zw. dr hab. n. med. Andrzej Gładysz - specialist in infectious diseases; 
• Dr n. med. Pawel Grabowski - President of the Prophet Elijah Hospice Foundation;
• Prof. Dr. Aleksander Woźny - Director of the Institute of Media and Social Communication;
• Dr n. med. Krzysztof Szmyd - President of the Lower Silesian children's hospice "Formula of Good";
• Prof. Tomasz Pawłowski, MD, PhD - Head of the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Disorders;
• Prof. Bozhidar Ivkov - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences;
• Monica Marinova - President of the Tarlov's Cyst Patients Association "Treatment Without Borders" (Bulgaria);
• Dr Oliwia Tarasewicz-Gryt - College of Vocational Training;
• Prof. Dr. Urszula Glensk - Institute of Journalism and Social Communication, University of Wrocław;
• Dr Tetiana Vlasevych - Ivan Franko National University of Lviv;
• Dr Michał Rydlewski - Institute of Journalism and Social Communication, University of Wrocław;
• Dr Jerzy Luty - College of Vocational Training;
• Dr n. vet. Wojciech Hildebrand - Vice President of the Council of the Lower Silesian Chamber of Veterinary Medicine;
• Aleksandra Keller, MA - President of the Kociniec Cat Orphanage Foundation.

Summary and conclusions

At the end of the conference, students and participants summarised the issues raised and pointed out the need to continue discussions and further research in the field of crisis communication. Due to the great interest and positive reception of the event, it was reported that a second edition of the conference will be organised to explore this important topic in even greater depth.

National Scientific Conference entitled. "Communication and security in crisis, border and difficult situations".

Already on 5 and 6 June 2025 in Wrocław a unique scientific event on communication in difficult, crisis and border situations will take place. The conference, organised by Institute of Media and Social Communication of the University of Vocational Training will be a space for the interdisciplinary exchange of experiences and reflections of representatives from the world of science and practice.

A special place on the programme will be given to issues concerning mechanisms of conformity and resistance, socio-cultural barriers to Otherness and the challenges of the aid professions in the face of extreme situations - such as armed conflict, natural disasters or epidemics.

Film, debate and international voice

Event will open with a screening of the moving film "Waiting for Heaven" directed by Alina Mrowinska (2020)which will be held at the Factory of Sense and will be the starting point for a discussion that will also include the documentary's protagonist, Dr Paweł Grabowski, President of the Prophet Elias Hospice Foundation, and will also serve as an introduction to the main part of the conference. The meeting will be held in a stationary format (in the Sense Factory and Hotel Scandic).

Wrocław, 5-6 June 2025.
5.06, 5.30 pm - 7.30 pm | Sense Factory, 21/4 Benedykta Polaka St. - film screening and panel discussion
6.06, 9 a.m.-3.30 p.m. | Hotel ScandicPiłsudskiego Street 53-57 - the main part of the conference

Organised by: Institute of Media and Social Communication, University of Applied Sciences

For more information, see the conference programme:

Download the conference programme