Throughout the week of 17-20 July 2023 the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine organised a training aimed at enhancing support for victims of sexual violence in Ukraine. The training brought together 30 professional psychologists, hotline operators and social work specialists from across the country. This  comprehensive training was based on the 2022 Manual Working with victims of sexual violence during armed conflict: A manual for Ukrainian mental health and emergency response professionals with special consideration of the needs of internally displaced women during times of war.

Over the course of four days, participants discussed promising gender-sensitive and victim-centred practices to provide assistance to victims of sexual violence during military conflict. Considering the experiences of other countries, participants examined long-term consequences of wartime sexual violence, involvement of the community in overcoming these traumatic events and methods to support and communicate with victims. The training also emphasised relevant international law including the Istanbul Convention, existing assistance protocols for victims, and inter-entity support system coordination under martial law.

By providing these training sessions, the Council of Europe aims to bolster the country's response to conflict related violence against women and sexual violence and ensure that victims receive gender-sensitive and victim-centred social, psychological, medical, and legal support.

This event was the second in a series of trainings organised under the Council of Europe project “Combating violence against women in Ukraine – Phase II” (COVAW-II) in partnership with the National Social Service of Ukraine.

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