Are your eyes wide open? Join us in the movement.

Unique design collaboration

To raise public awareness against the domestic violence, we have teamed up with a famous Latvian artist Kristians Brekte and created a limited collection of bags expressing the idea of noticing violence in his unique style. The goal for this collaboration is to engage the many people in joining our movement.

This kind of IKEA collaboration is happening for the first time in Latvia. For us, the key aspect was that a social issue of domestic violence truly matters to our partner and that this person is willing to speak on such an uncomfortable and challenging topic to inspire and activate others.

There are things that we can see with the naked eye: beautiful things, homes we would love, people inside them... But can the beautiful things and dream homes hide horror, fear, and despair?

Every third woman in Latvia has experienced partner violence at least once in her life. And violence loves silence. So, don’t be silent. Keep your eyes open because domestic violence is not just a matter of two. It affects us all.

“Although domestic violence is present in our daily life more than we want to notice it, I feel that part of society still chooses to deny it and isolate themselves from it. I have joined the “Notice violence” initiative to draw attention to that ‘wrong’ world because only by keeping our eyes open and acting against the domestic violence we’ll be able to help and decrease it in our environment.”

Kristians Brekte, artist

Every little counts

Going towards a positive change can be done even in smaller steps. Although the NOTICE VIOLENCE pin is small in size, it is a great way to show commitment to never close your eyes to violence. Wear it as a symbol of awareness and encourage bystanders to start noticing domestic violence, too.

What to do if I suspect violence

Be kind and attentive while talking to a person who is a victim of domestic violence.
Do not judge the victim’s actions or failure to act. Be patient and open.
Point out that violence is not the victim’s fault.
Do not urge the victims to act here and now, do not press them or be too intrusive. Allow them to open up at their own pace.
Encourage the victim to seek specialized help: police, medical care, specialized help centres.
In case of physical violence, at first let the perpetrator think that you have noticed it (doorbell ring, shout) and report this to the emergency number 110.

Buy and donate

Would you like to join our movement against the domestic violence? It‘s simple. Buy any of the NOTICE VIOLENCE bags or pins and wear them proudly to spread the message. Everyone can become the ambassador. Will you?

The bags and pins are sold at the IKEA stores and online.
All profit goes to support family crisis centres in Latvia.

There’s always someone to trust

Dealing with difficult situations is much easier when you are not alone. If you seek help or need any support, please connect to:

hotline for victims of violence: 116 006 (every day 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.),
24/7 hotline for emotional and psychological support: 116 123 or 27722292.
state supported legal aid by phone 80001801. More information can be found on home page www.jpa.gov.lv.

More information on awareness of domestic violence: www.cietusajiem.lv.

Makeovers at the crisis centre

We believe that home, even the temporary one, has to be a safe and comfortable place. To improve the living conditions of the families affected by the domestic violence, we have started makeovers at the Mīlgrāvis family crisis centre in Riga.

Stage 1

The mission of our interior designers Ieva and Renāte was to give the temporary accommodation an air of a safe haven to regenerate and to gather strength for starting anew. See how an involuntary utilitarian minimalism with basic furnishing essentials has turned into a true home away from home.

Stage 2

At the second stage of our makeovers, the task was to freshen up a kitchen of a crisis centre to fit the many temporary inhabitants that come and go here. we didn't want to make the kitchen purely utilitarian, it had to feel like home. See how our interior designer Elīna made this happen.