Violence can never be justified

The training "Psychosocial support for victims/survivors of gender-based violence during military actions" took place on April 28 - May 1, 2023. The training brought together practicing psychologists, psychological center staff, and representatives of civil and humanitarian organizations engaged in the psychological recovery of people affected by gender-based violence, particularly during military conflicts.

Armed conflicts, the period after their conclusion, and cases of forced displacement of people lead to an increase in the scale and intensity of violence, as well as the emergence of new forms of its manifestation. Therefore, the main goal of the training was to provide participants with advanced knowledge and practical skills in psychological support for affected individuals, to facilitate their mental recovery and return to a full life, and to consider issues of re-traumatization.

Gender-based violence is a serious problem during military conflicts worldwide, and our country is no exception. Thanks to the combination of theoretical and practical parts of the training, participants had the opportunity to learn about different types, signs, and consequences of violence. They successfully mastered the algorithms for listening and interviewing individuals with experience of violence and assimilated the multidimensional BASIC Ph model for their work. Special attention was given to the specifics of working with children who are victims of violence and the ethical aspects of psychosocial support for individuals with experience of gender-based violence.

The participants unanimously agreed that violence can never be justified. The training proved to be extremely useful and practical for the participants, as it provided them with new tools and strategies applicable in working with victims of gender-based violence. They were able to exchange experiences and best practices with colleagues, as well as receive support and motivation for further work.

We believe that the training "Psychosocial support for victims/survivors of gender-based violence during military action" has become an important step in improving the situation with psychological recovery and support for victims of violence in Ukraine.

The event was held in the frames of the "Peace Building and Conflict Resolution in Ukraine – Step Forward" project, implemented with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office’s funds by IFA (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen), Funding programme zivik.