A multi-day training intensive was held in Kyiv for the coordinators of the newly established Departments of the Organization for Supporting Victims and Witnesses of War Crimes. The training took place from September 26 to October 5, 2024.
Together with Lyudmyla Vyhivska, a lawyer and expert in criminal justice, we discussed war crimes, their classification and investigation, the statuses of individuals in war crimes, and their right to free legal aid. We emphasized the importance of involving lawyers to assist victims and witnesses, as well as implementing security measures for those participating in criminal proceedings.
Alma Taso, a psychologist and international expert, shared international experience in assisting witnesses and victims of war crimes.
Stanislav Petrenko, Head of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in the Context of Armed Conflict at the Office of the Prosecutor General, provided participants with insights into the system for countering war crimes, the structure of criminal proceedings, and the interaction between prosecutors, investigators, and victims within the criminal justice process, highlighting challenges in their cooperation.
Olha Chekyrda, Head of the Second Department of Procedural Supervision of Pre-Trial Investigations and Public Prosecution in Criminal Proceedings Related to Sexual Violence at the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in the Context of Armed Conflict at the Office of the Prosecutor General, gave a detailed presentation on sexual violence in the context of war crimes and the principles of supporting victims.
Together with Nataliia Zaikina, a psychologist and trauma-focused therapist, participants practiced skills in providing first psychological aid, emotional stabilization techniques, and stress reduction methods. They explored ways to lower stress levels, relaxation techniques, and methods of psychological and physiological self-regulation.
Anna Kozlova, a psychologist specializing in crimes involving children and an expert at the Interagency Coordination Council on Juvenile Justice, shared her expertise on the psychological and developmental characteristics of child victims and witnesses of different age groups, as well as the specifics of communication with each age category.
Iryna Chorna, a project manager and humanitarian affairs coordinator at the "Posmishka UA" Charity Foundation, presented a theoretical analysis of the impact of implicit ethical messages and transferred resources.
Oksana Bednarska, coordinator of the social support program at "Posmishka UA," discussed the core principles of the social protection system and the concept of "social services." Together, participants analyzed existing social programs, types of aid available within them, and case management in the context of humanitarian response in Ukraine.
Viktoriia Nastina, a specialist at the Coordination Center for Supporting Victims and Witnesses, provided insights into interaction algorithms with victims and special organizational procedures.
In addition to listening to lectures, participants actively worked on case studies, modeled potential real-life situations they may encounter in their work, developed solutions for non-standard cases, and supported and complemented each other.
We wish the participants success in effectively applying the knowledge gained in their work. Despite the intensity of the training and the complexity of the topics covered, we are pleased to see smiles on the participants' faces in the photos.
This project for specialists of the Coordination Center for Supporting Victims and Witnesses of War Crimes is implemented by the "NAVKOLO" Charity Foundation with the support of the Law Enforcement Section of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.
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