From Knowledge to Action: Activists from Different Regions of Ukraine Build a Support System for Survivors of Violence

A two-day training “Comprehensive Response to Gender-Based Violence, including Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, Survivor-Oriented” was held in Lviv.

Representatives of NGOs from different regions of Ukraine joined the event – those who work daily with survivors of violence, coordinate local initiatives, and develop the system of inter-agency interaction in communities.

During two intense days, participants:

* analyzed international standards for the protection of the rights of survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV);
* got acquainted with the provisions of Ukrainian criminal and administrative legislation;
* discussed concepts of “cycle of violence,” “survivor child,” and “special measures to combat domestic violence”;
* learned to apply a survivor-oriented approach in the work of state and public institutions.

“Gender-based violence is not only a legal problem, but primarily a social one. To respond effectively, it is important not just to know the law, but to understand the context in which the survivor lives. They are not obliged to prove what happened – our task is to create conditions where it is safe for them to speak and receive help,” emphasized Viktor Valchuk, national expert and trainer on combating gender-based violence.

During interactive sessions, participants worked with real cases from communities, modeled response algorithms for various forms of violence, and considered effective ways of coordination between the police, social services, healthcare institutions, and the public sector.

Special attention was paid to the topic of war-related sexual violence – a complex, traumatic issue that requires from specialists not only professional competence but also deep ethical sensitivity.

“When we say ‘survivor-oriented approach,’ it’s not just a term. It’s about respect for a person’s choice, about recognizing their right to support, even if they are not yet ready to talk about what they experienced. The task of specialists is to be near, not in place of,” underlined Viktor Valchuk.

Participants reached a common conclusion: an effective violence response system is possible only when all involved parties – state, municipal, and public – act coordinately and with an understanding of the survivors’ needs.

Among key prerequisites:
✔ established inter-agency interaction;
✔ high-quality training of specialists on the ground;
✔ stable operation of safe spaces and crisis centers;
✔ access to long-term psychological, social, and legal assistance.

The training ended with informal discussion and mutual support among colleagues. For many, these two days became a reminder: responding to violence is not about reports, but about humanity, empathy, and readiness to hear.

The event was organized by the NGO “Chernihiv Public Committee for Human Rights Protection” with the support of Norway and the Human Rights House Foundation.