WILLEMSTAD - Justice Care (Justitiële Zorg, JZ) has successfully participated in the global Orange the World campaign, held annually from November 25 to December 10 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls. Through a series of targeted activities, JZ has raised awareness and encouraged community participation in the fight against violence, underlining its commitment to preventing violence in society. For this initiative, the slogan “Orange the World with Justice Care for a Violence-Free Future” was introduced, emphasizing the creation of a future free from violence.
JZ’s efforts are particularly focused on protecting and empowering youth and families through awareness, guidance, collaboration, and prevention initiatives.
Key Activities to Foster Awareness
The Orange the World JZ working group aimed to increase awareness by engaging in dialogues, making symbolic statements, and showing solidarity with victims of violence. Over the past two weeks, JZ dedicated significant time and energy to executing five key activities to support this mission:
Digital Awareness:
For the duration of the 16-day campaign, employees updated their email signatures with messages about relational violence. This digital initiative helped spread the campaign’s message and created a virtual movement, amplifying visibility.
Orange Balloon Distribution:
On December 4, in collaboration with Curaçao Fire Department, JZ distributed 200 orange balloons with encouraging messages to women in shelters and children in residential care facilities. The activity, which began with visits to the Justice Ministry’s management team and colleagues, aimed to raise awareness and inspire collective action toward a violence-free future. Emotional responses from recipients confirmed the success of the initiative.
Symbolic Lighting:
On December 9 and 10, the JZ building was illuminated in orange as a powerful visual symbol of solidarity in the global fight against violence.
Orange Vibes Campaign:
Employees were encouraged to wear orange clothing as a sign of solidarity. A prize draw was held to reward participants, fostering team spirit and amplifying the campaign’s visibility.
Final Staff Gathering:
The campaign concluded on December 10 with a staff meeting featuring presentations on the activities carried out, insights into JZ’s work on relational violence, and a guest speaker sharing personal experiences. This gathering encouraged deeper understanding and open discussions on the subject.
A Unified Effort for Change
The project’s working group reflected on the campaign’s success:
“This initiative not only raised awareness but also had a tangible impact on our community. The involvement of colleagues across departments made the project a success. Together, we have strengthened the message of a violence-free future both within and beyond our organization.”
Commitment to Prevention and Training
JZ remains committed to preventing violence, particularly relational violence, by focusing on both victims and perpetrators. Next year, the SOLO KAS SIGUR training will again be offered to youth probation officers and partnering organizations to better support and treat perpetrators of violence.
This impactful project was made possible through the trust and financial support of the Ministry of Justice and Security of the Netherlands. JZ’s efforts demonstrate a steadfast dedication to fostering a safer and violence-free community.