Joint Programme

Horizontal Facility

"From Trauma to Testimony: The Role of Psychological Support in Human Trafficking Cases” was the main topic of the regional dialogue organised with the support of EU and Council of Europe. The online event brought together more than 60 experts and practitioners in the field of human trafficking from Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The participants included representatives from the judiciary, social welfare institutions, police, relevant ministries, and civil society organisations. The aim was to exchange experiences and improve approaches to the protection of victims of human trafficking in criminal proceedings, in line with European standards.

The meeting focused on the role of trauma-informed psychological support as a key prerequisite for enabling victims to safely and confidently participate in proceedings and access justice. During the event, the publication “From trauma to testimony: Guidelines for psychological support to victims of human trafficking in criminal investigations and court proceedings,” developed by NGO Atina, with the support of EU and Council of Europe was presented.

Opening remarks were delivered by Mirjana Majstorović from the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade and Jelena Hrnjak, Programme Manager at NGO Atina. The meeting followed with presentations from the psychologist Mirela Mujagić (Cantonal Court in Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina), who highlighted the importance of a trauma-sensitive approach and the risks of re-traumatisation during proceedings. Lawyer Nataša Boškova (North Macedonia), outlined key challenges in ensuring victims’ rights to legal protection, privacy, safety, and compensation.

A dedicated session focused on practical approaches to psychological support, presented by Dragana Ćuk Milankov from NGO Atina and Prof. Dr. Jelena Radosavljev Kirćanski from the Serbian Institute of Mental Health. Their presentations addressed concrete challenges faced by victims during investigations and trials, as well as the importance of continuous, structured, and trauma-informed support as a prerequisite for their stable participation in proceedings.

An open discussion with participants centered around two key questions: what forms of psychological support are currently available to victims participating in criminal proceedings, and what challenges practitioners face in ensuring trauma-informed testimony. The discussion provided space for exchanging experiences and highlighted the gap between formally available support mechanisms and their implementation in practice.

The meeting once again confirmed that regional co-operation and the exchange of experiences are essential for improving victim protection systems and for developing approaches that address the real needs of victims in practice.

This activity is organised by the action “Strengthening anti-trafficking action in Serbia”, in co-operation with the actions “Strengthening anti-trafficking responses in Bosnia and Herzegovina through systemic reform, policy development and comprehensive support for victims” and “Strengthening anti-trafficking action in North Macedonia”, part of the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.