For people who have survived sexual violence, a Center for Assistance to Survivors operates in Kherson.
Over two years of operation, specialists have developed an action algorithm that includes, among other things, comprehensive support during contact with law enforcement agencies.
According to the Center’s psychologist Marina Kozeratska, there are cases when a person already comes with an extract from the police stating that they had contacted law enforcement with a statement and provided testimony. In that case, managers will inform them about the social assistance they can receive — state payments, compensation, support from partners, etc. For example, in partnership with the organization “Nehemia” there is an opportunity for rehabilitation for families, or separately for women. Case managers will help submit the application, and the selection is conducted by Nehemia itself.
If the person has not previously contacted law enforcement, the Center, at the client’s request, can provide accompaniment.
“We have contacts with investigators who work in this profile. If a person, for example, was held in civilian captivity even for several hours, this must be recorded so that later they could receive compensation. We arrange with investigators the day and time of the meeting when the person is ready for it. From their words testimony is recorded. Since the statement must be signed by the head, this stage may take one or two days. After signing and entering the case into the register, the person gives detailed testimony to the investigator”, — explains Marina.
At this stage the Center can accompany the client if needed. In case the person experiences anxiety states, panic attacks, the psychologist will provide assistance to stabilize their condition.
The psychologist also emphasizes that testimony is recorded on audio or video to avoid retraumatization if the investigator needs to clarify certain information. After that the person moves into the hands of psychologists. Initially the client answers general questions so that specialists can properly classify the case, selects a psychologist, and chooses a convenient mode of communication — online or offline.
“The conversation never begins with us throwing the person into a trigger. We ask ‘How are you? How are you feeling? How are you sleeping?’ We create a foundation so that the person can start speaking themselves when they are ready. Then work begins, which for some can take 8 sessions, once a week, and for others half a year or a year. Each case is individual, but in any case the person should not have to go through it alone”, — emphasizes Marina Kozeratska.
The Centers for Assistance to Survivors were created at the initiative of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, with the support of the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy, in partnership with UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine, thanks to the financial support of the governments of Austria, Belgium, Spain, Sweden and in cooperation with local authorities.