Representatives of Chernihiv Region Communities Strengthened Their Capacity to Provide Assistance to Survivors of Violence

Activists and representatives of Chernihiv region communities spent two days learning how to better identify survivors of violence, respond correctly, and provide comprehensive assistance.

The training was conducted by Viktor Valchuk, a national expert and trainer on preventing and combating domestic and gender-based violence and human trafficking. Participants worked with theoretical knowledge, analyzed cases, and held discussions to see how protection mechanisms work in practice.

On the first day, Andriy Shemets, Director of the Department of Family, Youth, and Sports of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, emphasized: “The topic of combating violence remains extremely relevant. We must continue to create specialized services for survivors and develop cooperation between authorities, communities, and NGOs. Only in this way can we ensure effective support for those who need it.”

Topics discussed during the training:
▪ the difference between family conflict and domestic violence;
▪ why correct terminology (“survivor” or “victim”) matters;
▪ national and international documents in the field of combating GBV (including the Istanbul Convention, Rome Statute, UN Security Council resolutions);
▪ types of gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence;
▪ mechanisms for holding subjects accountable in case of failure to perform duties;
▪ types of assistance for survivors and where to seek support.

As emphasized by trainer Viktor Valchuk: “Theory is important, but it doesn’t work without practice. In these trainings, we analyze how to act correctly step by step: from the first conversation with a survivor to referral for specialized services.” Participants actively discussed, worked in groups, and presented their findings, receiving practical tools for working in communities.

The event was organized jointly with the Department of Family, Youth, and Sports of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration.

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