To support the work and assistance services of the Shelter for Human Trafficking Victims Protection, a specially designed training on conflict resolution and mediation was organised by the joint European Union/ Council of Europe action on “Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings in Serbia” on 13-14 October 2020.

The training provided an opportunity to learn and practice structured and interactive process of mediation and other techniques that can help staff of the Shelter solve conflicts between victims accommodated in the Shelter. Moreover, the participants were provided with guidelines for working with victims.

“Being a part of the recovery process gives us motivation and duty to improve ourselves both personally and professionally, continuously reconsidering our attitudes, beliefs, boundaries and knowledge”, highlighted one of the participants in the training.

The Group of Experts on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) noted in its last country evaluation report that there were continuing and important gaps in the availability of assistance measures adapted to the needs of the victims. This training was part of the implementation of the GRETA recommendation.

The Shelter for victims of human trafficking was opened in February 2019. One of the top priorities of the new structure is to build the capacity of its staff to provide quality and trauma-informed services to victims.

The action “Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings in Serbia” is a part of the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey II”. It aims at assisting beneficiaries in South-East Europe to comply with the Council of Europe standards and European Union acquis in the framework of the enlargement process, where relevant.