The picnic for Dominik will take place in the Market Square on Sunday, October 7. It will begin at 1:00 p.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. The organizer of the event is the Polish Psychopedagogical Society. At the picnic, people can sign a petition concerning a case that many consider just and consistent with their compassion and sensitivity. One can remain indifferent, or one can show that we do not accept the difficult fate of children harmed in alcoholic families and take part in the campaign.

– We want Dominik to be judged with full attention and with the court considering his family situation – says attorney Wojciech Kasprzyk. – This is not about him avoiding responsibility, but Dominik is also a victim in this case – the attorney adds.

As of September 25, 2018, nearly 1,500 people had signed the petition “Let’s Free Dominik K.” Dominik, who wounded his drunk mother with a knife and killed her drunk partner, had no support in his life from the most important people. His mother drank, and he did not know his father. Dominik needs support during such an important period for his future. He experienced much suffering and humiliation at the hands of those closest to him. His mother (now in therapy and having received a sentence for abusing her son) refused at the hearing to give testimony that could incriminate her son and admitted that she regretted what had happened because it was all her fault, adding: “I destroyed his life.”

– There are many such people in Poland: children and adult children of alcoholics (ACoA) and children from dysfunctional families (DDF) – says Dawid Kołodziej. – The problem of neglecting offspring by addicted or dysfunctional parents has many dimensions and affects a large part of society – adds the president of the Polish Psychopedagogical Society.

What is a dysfunctional family?

A child in a healthy family is simply a son or daughter to their parents and, if they have siblings, a brother or sister. Through these healthy roles, the child learns what norms and values prevail in society and in their family and—very importantly—learns how to form relationships with other people. In dysfunctional families, children cannot simply be children. Such a family imposes roles on children that do not serve them but maintain the dysfunction of the family system (for example, the addiction of one or both parents). Functioning in adulthood in the roles from childhood is one of the symptoms of the ACoA/DDF syndrome.

Dominik was the “parent” of his mother and younger brother. He did the shopping, looked after his brother, took care of the home as best he could, watched over his mother, and covered for her in court and before social welfare officials so that she would not lose her parental rights. He did not experience a childhood, and a great tragedy occurred in his life, for which he must now take responsibility.

The picnic for Dominik will take place on Sunday, October 7, at 1:00 p.m. in the Market Square

The main activity during the picnic will be collecting additional signatures for the petition “Let’s Free Dominik K.” and presenting the issues faced by families with alcohol problems.

The picnic will include ZUMBA, meaning sports games and activities for families, face painting, balloon twisting, and an art corner for children.

On the PTPP website in Bolesławiec, you can fill out the petition so that Dominik receives a lenient sentence, and send money, among other things, for Dominik’s defense, rehabilitation process, and therapeutic care. The istotne.pl portal and newspaper support this campaign; we consider it just. We described Dominik’s entire story in the article Did Dominik Deserve a Life Sentence? The article was widely discussed and shared in the local media of Lwówek and Lubań counties. People want to help. Every voice counts so that not only Dominik but also other children harmed in alcoholic families know that people are good and compassionate.

People who support the campaign write:

“No one wanted to help him, but they were the first to punish him.”

“Done! We’re with you, Dominik!”

“He deserves a chance at a normal life.”

“I feel sorry for the boy. I wish him a fair sentence.”

“He defended himself against that terrible fate [...] Give him a chance; he deserves it!”

“Signed. I hope they acquit the boy!”

“I feel sorry for the boy. Where were the neighbors and social services?”

“An unfortunate boy—he should be helped, not sentenced.”