Within the framework of the SHIELD Project we have recently conducted a key training intervention in Kharkiv aimed at strengthening the clinical management of survivors of sexual violence and intimate partner violence (IPV).
Two three-day training sessions were held between 30 March and 4 April 2026, involving 23 healthcare professionals from different health facilities across Kharkiv Oblast. The sessions took place at Hotel Kulikovskiy in Kharkiv and were delivered by a CUAMM trainer certified by UNFPA, in collaboration with CESVI protection staff.
The training aimed to enhance the capacity of first responders and hospital staff to provide safe, timely, and appropriate medical care to survivors of gender-based violence, including women, men, children, and adolescents.
The programme combined theoretical modules with interactive exercises, case scenarios, group discussions, and role plays. Key topics included:
- Introduction to gender-based violence and guiding principles
- Identification of IPV and first-line response (LIVES approach)
- Clinical Management of Rape (CMR), including examination, treatment, and follow-up care
- Psychosocial support and care for vulnerable groups
- Legal framework, documentation, and forensic evidence collection
- Barriers to access and health system readiness
A strong focus was placed on practical skills, including active listening, case management, and referral pathways, ensuring that participants could immediately apply the knowledge gained.
Training impact was assessed through pre- and post-tests, showing a significant increase in knowledge. The average correct response rate improved from 66.5% before the training to 94% after completion, confirming the effectiveness of the learning process.
While most participants had limited or no prior experience in managing survivors of sexual violence, the training significantly increased their confidence and readiness to respond to such cases.
Overall satisfaction was extremely high, with participants rating the training as highly relevant, well-structured, and aligned with their professional needs.
The positive results were made possible thanks to the strong collaboration between our field team and CESVI – our protection partner in the project. This joint effort represents an important step in reinforcing integrated, survivor-centred care in conflict-affected settings, where access to essential services remains severely constrained.
SHIELD Project – Strengthening Health and Protection for Vulnerable Communities in Conflict-Affected Sumska and Kharkivska (AID 06/UCR/013157), funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), is an intervention we are carrying out in collaboration with CESVI, combining health and protection. At the center of our work are four main activities located in the oblasts of Kharkiv and Sumy, near the border area: distribution of medical supplies, structural rehabilitation interventions, delivery of emergency kits and capacity building activities for health professionals in collaboration with UNFPA.
Through initiatives like SHIELD, we continues to support the strengthening of health systems and the protection of the most vulnerable populations, ensuring that quality care remains accessible even in fragile and crisis-affected contexts.
