Ana Gemović Matić, a lawyer from Serbia, is one of the twenty legal professionals who have successfully completed the Council of Europe’s HELP course on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings. Over two months of intensive training, she gained in-depth knowledge and practical skills to enhance legal support for victims of trafficking.

“The biggest challenge in providing legal protection to victims of human trafficking is ensuring timely and adequate support, tailored to each victim’s specific needs,” Ana explains. “It is crucial that legal protection mechanisms are applied effectively in court proceedings to secure quality assistance for victims. For that, it is essential that lawyers, judges, and prosecutors receive specialised education on working with trafficking victims.”

The course, developed in cooperation with the Bar Association of Serbia under the EU/CoE joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and its action “Strengthening anti-trafficking action in Serbia,” equipped Ana and her colleagues with a deep understanding of international and European legal frameworks. More than that, it emphasised a sensitive approach to working with victims.

“The course helped me grasp the complexity of human trafficking, especially in terms of victim identification, criminal proceedings, and securing compensation,” says Ana. “A special emphasis was placed on the importance of a sensitive approach to victims, which expanded my perspective and gave me new insights into the issue. I will apply this knowledge in my practice to more effectively recognise trafficking cases and use the appropriate legal mechanisms to provide victims with comprehensive legal support.”

What set this training apart, according to Ana, was its interactive and hands-on approach. The fact that they had dedicated tutors throughout the course made a huge difference, Ana notes. She appreciated the constant support from mentors and the opportunity to exchange experiences with other participants during roundtable discussions. “The course also included fascinating case studies, not only from the European Court of Human Rights but also from national courts across Europe.”

Ana underscores the importance of continuous legal education in this field. “Additional training for lawyers, judges, and prosecutors is key to providing adequate protection for human trafficking victims as it enhances understanding of this complex issue and the legal mechanisms available to support victims,” she explains. “Courses like this, along with roundtables and similar activities, raise awareness about human trafficking and its various forms, such as labour exploitation, helping us better identify and address these cases.”

For Ana and many of her peers, the HELP course was not just another training, it was a crucial step in strengthening their ability to defend the rights of human trafficking victims and contribute to a more effective legal response.