Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) is one of the most severe forms of human rights violations, with consequences that reverberate for years after the fighting has ceased. Fulfilling the operational objective of the State Strategy for Ensuring Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men, specifically, establishing support systems for CRSV survivors through trauma-informed care, requires the joint efforts of city services and specialised training for professionals. To this end, the Gender Equality Management Office of the Department of Social and Veteran Policy at the Kyiv City State Administration (KSCA) organises these training sessions for specialists from the Kyiv district state administrations and municipal media outlets, in partnership with the Kyiv City Centre of Social Services.

Over 120 specialists received training on how to communicate appropriately and safely with survivors, how to avoid causing harm with words, and how to support those who have endured traumatic experiences. Specifically, eight training sessions titled «Ethical and Sensitive Communication: How to Discuss Complex CRSV Issues» were organised. These were attended by specialists from the education, healthcare, social services, and internal policy (public relations) departments, as well as the Children and Family Affairs Services of the District State Administrations. Participants also included staff from the “Kyiv” TV channel, the “Kyivinform” press centre, and the Centre of Communication, comprising a total of 98 women and 24 men.

During the training, Yaroslava Popovych, PhD in Psychology, psychologist, psychotherapist and trainer at the Israel Trauma Coalition, taught the participants:
- recognise the forms, manifestations, and consequences of PTSD;
- understand the specific needs of vulnerable groups;
- identify the barriers that prevent survivors from seeking help and effectively overcome them in communication;
- apply the principles of a survivor-centered approach and the fundamentals of trauma-informed practice;
- use sensitive communication protocols in professional and public contexts;
- ensure the ethical and safe reporting of CRSV cases in the media and public spaces;
- prevent secondary traumatization and professional burnout when working with survivors.

Tetiana Huzenko, Head of the Gender Equality Management Office:
‍– Trauma-informed support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, as a tool for implementing the state’s gender equality policy, requires significant emotional resources. Dealing with issues of conflict-related sexual violence and interacting with the families of survivors create an increased risk of professional burnout; consequently, there is a need for additional measures to prevent burnout and strengthen the resources available to specialists. The training results confirm the need for further professional development, methodological guidance, and regular professional support. We submitted a request to the Kyiv Regional Center for Professional Development to enhance competencies in preventing and countering conflict-related sexual violence. In 2026, the professional development programme for public servants included a short-term course titled «Countering Conflict-Related Sexual Violence».

Useful links:
‍Over 120 specialists received training on the trauma-informed approach to working with CRSV survivors
6 days against gender-based violence
Information Section: “Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV)”