Chernihiv hosted a training session for human rights defenders and activists assisting survivors of violence.

The event aimed to strengthen the professional capacity of activists from human rights and gender-oriented organizations in the Chernihiv region, as well as representatives of the “Chernihiv Region 1325” Coalition. It also focused on enhancing the resilience of specialists who provide assistance to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) during wartime.

Amidst the full-scale war, the pressure on activists and specialists has increased significantly: cases are becoming more complex, the volume of appeals is rising, and the level of psychological trauma—for both survivors and professionals—is deepening. Therefore, the training focused not only on developing professional knowledge and practical tools but also on preserving the internal resources of those who work daily with people in crisis situations.

As part of the program, participants covered the following topics:

• International and national human rights standards;
• Local-level advocacy for change;
• Effective protection mechanisms for survivors and vulnerable groups;
• Prevention of professional burnout and development of emotional safety skills.

A dedicated session was focused on the ethical and practical principles of working with survivors, including confidentiality, respect for human dignity, informed consent, prevention of secondary traumatization, and the application of a survivor-centered approach.

Participants emphasized that high-quality assistance at the community level is only possible with resilient specialists and strong institutions capable of systematically responding to wartime challenges.

The event was organized by the Chernihiv Public Committee for Human Rights Protection as part of the “Capable to Influence” small grants competition, implemented by the Kyiv Human Rights Hub in cooperation with the Center for Civil Liberties and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, supported by the Government of Norway.