The event is part of a joint project of the OSCE Support Program for Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the National Police of Ukraine.
The training aims to improve the professional skills of investigators in working with children who have experienced sexual or other forms of violence. Particular attention is focused on studying the psychological aspects of trauma, methods of conducting sensitive interviews, and preventing re-traumatization of victims.
Before the training began, the rector of Lviv State University of Internal Affairs, Dmytro Shvets, addressed the participants.
"The topic of today's training is extremely relevant in the context of modern threats. The knowledge gained will be useful both for further professional activities and for effective counteraction to crimes in the field of sexual abuse of children and other forms of cruelty, which, unfortunately, still occur. The statistics in this area are truly alarming. Thanks to the support of international partners, the training participants will work out important algorithms of actions that each of them will be able to apply in their practice and, at the same time, share their own experience," said Dmytro Shvets.
Serghiy Hrynenko, Senior Project Manager of the Human Security Component of the OSCE Support Program for Ukraine, also took the floor.
"We were happy to organize this event here, at Lviv State University of Internal Affairs. A special feature is the Green Room, which is used not only for educational purposes, but also for interviewing children who have suffered from crimes. We hope that within three days we will be able to achieve the results we are striving for," said Serhiy Hrynenko.
During the training, participants will learn about the best international practices, including the British model of cognitive interviewing "P.E.A.C.E.", the NICHD protocol, as well as Ukrainian developments in the field of friendly justice. The training will combine theoretical training with practical tasks: role-playing interviews, group work, and discussion of real cases.
The training will be attended by foreign and Ukrainian experts: Colin Carswell and Bernard Gravett, experts in conducting procedural interviews, Counter Trafficking Network; Anna Kozlova, PhD in psychology, forensic expert; and Rymma Yurchenko, PhD in law, supervisors of psychologists involved in criminal proceedings involving children, experts of the All-Ukrainian Center "Volunteer".