Work with victims of conflict-related sexual violence: recommendations and materials for the development of public policies and local action plans
The project is implementing in partnership with Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and within the framework of the project “Local Self-Government and the Rule of Law in Ukraine” implemented by the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) during 2014-2022 with the financial support from Sweden.
Project implementation period: June – November 2022.
The returning to normal life of victims of conflict-related sexual violence is achieved through assistance aimed not only at restoring their mental or physical health, but also in other areas, such as employment, access to justice to realize the request for justice, etc. The document developed by the experts of the Center for Security Studies “СENSS” substantiates the importance of comprehensive efforts of the authorities so that this category of persons is not left out of attention. Such efforts will be successful if the necessary decisions are made at the national level, their implementation is ensured at the local level, and coordination among all stakeholders is ensured. The materials and recommendations were prepared in August 2022 and cover various aspects of state policy regarding the provision of medical care, psychological and economic support, as well as social integration and the creation of conditions for social healing.
Drafted the developed Policy Paper on working with victims of sexual violence in conflict that included the following:
- General analysis of existing public policies on assisting victims of conflict-related sexual violence, including the dissemination, gaps and overlapping of the responsibilities between state and local authorities according to their statutes;
- Summary of the various manifestations of the consequences of sexual violence for victims (physical trauma, psychological, social and economic consequences) and communities; basic needs of victims of this type of violence;
- Arguments for the importance and need for a cross-sectoral approach to addressing the negative effects of sexual violence in conflict;
- Comprehensive recommendations to authorities and/or local governments and other stakeholders on various aspects of the organization of assistance and support to victims of sexual violence.
The final stage of project implementation was the presentation of recommendations and materials developed by SENSS experts to representatives of national, regional and local authorities, non-governmental and international organizations. The presentation took place on November 25, 2022 in two formats: online and offline in the city of Lviv. You can learn more about the event at the link: https://censs.org/crsv-presentation-censs/