On 26-27 April, three members from Global Rights Compliance’s Mobile Justice Teams (MJTs), comprised of Ukrainian and international lawyers, delivered two days of training sessions to more than 30 prosecutors and investigators based in the Kharkiv region.
The training focused on best practices for investigating allegations of conflict-related sexual violence and interviewing survivors following a victim-centric model, and emphasised practical skill development while also including information on the relevant domestic and international legal frameworks.
In discussions regarding the current practice in Kharkiv, investigators and prosecutors highlighted aspects of their current practices that currently facilitate engaging survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in justice mechanisms, including the inclusion of psychologists in the initial interview stage, but also appreciated the opportunity to learn more about international best practices which allow survivors to feel empowered through their participation in a criminal process. Justice actors based in the Kharkiv region have a strong foundation to approach files stemming conflict-related sexual violence following victim-centred practices, but will continue to benefit from support and expertise to strengthen their practices.
Conflict-related sexual violence has been a feature of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine and Crimea since 2014. Though the scope of the violence is still unknown, current information suggests that it is widespread and severe. Given the historic underreporting, underinvestigation, and underprosecution of sexual violence, in times of peace and war, it is particularly important that actors in the justice system develop victim-centred approaches in their investigations and interviews, to better ensure that the full range of violence is addressed. In addition to strengthening the legal process, more holistic justice processes that cover the full range of violence experienced by all individuals serve as a more complete record of history, and support both Ukraine and the global community in the process of truth telling.
Global Rights Compliance is grateful to justice actors in the Kharkiv region for their spirited engagement over the course of the two days, and for inviting the MJT members to conduct this training. GRC looks forward to providing continued support in investigating and prosecuting conflict-related sexual violence that has occurred throughout Kharkiv. GRC is further thankful to the European Union for its support to specifically work on conflict-related sexual violence.
This training is part of our ongoing project “Ukrainian Conflict-related Sexual Violence Integrated Support Mechanism” funded by the European Commission. For more information about the project, contact: annamykytenko@globalrightscompliance.co.uk