In view of the numerous cases of sexual violence and torture documented since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the conference aimed to share the experience acquired in Kosovo, Bosnia, etc. so that the necessary measures can be taken to support people facing the trauma caused.

The conference welcomed a strong Ukrainian delegation, first and foremost that of the SEMA Ukraine association, co-organizer of the event, eight members of which were present and took an active part in the discussions, sharing their knowledge about the procedures underway in Ukraine and the care provided to survivors.

They were accompanied by members of Ukrainian survivor support organizations and, in particular, a group of psychotherapists from different Ukrainian cities working with people suffering from war-related trauma.

The holistic approach to trauma, advocated by the multidisciplinary team of the Polish Center for Torture Survivors, led to the organization of four round tables (followed by four workshops) to address psychological and therapeutic issues, legal difficulties, social problems in supporting survivors of sexual crimes, as well as the journalistic challenges they pose when it comes to raising awareness of this complex subject among a wide audience.