Collaborations-Educational Engagements
Alongside my work in counselling and psychosocial support, I have collaborated with educational institutions, organisations and community initiatives to promote awareness, prevention and understanding of violence, abuse and trauma-related issues.
Through my professional role as a Social Worker, as well as through my writing and public speaking activities, I have participated as a speaker and trainer in awareness events, educational seminars and professional discussions addressing topics such as gender-based violence, domestic violence, psychological abuse, workplace bullying (mobbing) and the role of social care professionals in supporting survivors.
For more than a decade, I have been actively involved in awareness-raising initiatives through the Counselling Centre of Komotini (General Secretariat for Equality and Human Rights / KETHI), contributing to educational activities and community interventions focused on violence prevention and support.
A significant part of my professional journey has been my collaboration with the Department of Social Work at Democritus University of Thrace, where I have participated in discussions and educational activities with students around the challenges of social work practice, violence intervention and the importance of multidisciplinary approaches.Through these collaborations, my aim has always been to bridge professional knowledge with real-life experience, creating spaces for learning, dialogue and greater awareness around issues that often remain unseen.
In the context of presenting her first book, Ms. Gountoudaki also collaborated for two consecutive years with the Department of Educational Sciences and Social Work at the University of Patras.
In November 2025, in the context of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, an event dedicated to giving voice to those who cannot yet speak was held in Komotini. Co-organized by the Youth and Volunteerism Centre "Exagono" of the Municipality of Komotini, the Department of Social Work at Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), and the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Committee, the event created a space for meaningful awareness, dialogue, and collective responsibility surrounding gender-based and domestic violence.
Ms. Gountoudaki participated as a keynote speaker, presenting aspects of her authorial and professional experience, with an emphasis on the lived reality of women behind "locked doors." A particularly moving moment was the dramatization of stories from her second book, Behind Locked Doors, by the Theatre Department of the Youth Artistic Community, where art served as a bridge for understanding, empathy, and collective memory.
Interventions from the academic, legal, and law enforcement sectors highlighted the multifaceted nature of violence, as well as the importance of prevention and victim support mechanisms. Meanwhile, the presence of the Child and Family Support Centre – SOS Children's Villages Komotini reinforced the message that protection and care require strong synergies. This event affirmed that when stories are shared, they can pave the way for understanding, responsibility, and change for us all.
Every voice deserves to be heard.