Supporting Victims of Wartime Sexual Violence: Insights from Bosnia and Herzegovina

This lecture by the Head of the Witness Support Office at the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina will take place on April 8th at 5:30pm.

Students, faculty, and alumni are welcome to join this online lecture organized within Prof. Dr. Ajla Škrbić's course 'Sexual Violence, Gender and War'. Zoom link (Meeting ID: 838 975 1341).

Sexual violence is one of the most serious violations of human rights, often resulting in lasting psychological and social consequences not only for the surviving victim but also for those close to them and their entire community. Testimonies from victims frequently trigger a resurgence of symptoms, irrespective of one's inherent coping mechanisms. The re-emergence of these symptoms during testimony can be as vivid and distressing as immediately after the assault itself. Consequently, comprehensive support from all actors involved in criminal proceedings remains crucial.

In this lecture, Ms. Alma Taso Deljković will share her insights into working with survivors of wartime sexual violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Drawing upon experiences from the Bosnian judicial system, we can glean insights into the daily challenges faced by witness support officers. Navigating the psychological aftermath of trauma, maintaining a professional yet empathetic approach towards victims and witnesses, and possessing a nuanced understanding of the legal procedures all intersect in this context. By delving into these experiences, students and other audiences will gain valuable insights that can deepen their understanding of this critical issue.

Alma Taso Deljković is the Head of the Witness Support Office of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and has been working with witnesses/victims since 2005. In addition to providing direct support to witnesses at the Court, she strongly advocates for the development and promotion of the witness support system in the judiciary in Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond. She promotes the rights of witnesses/victims and improves dialogue and communication with local communities regarding the needs and rights of witnesses/victims. In her daily work as a psychologist and trained trauma and family counselor, she uses her knowledge and skills to help witnesses navigate the process of testifying as painlessly as possible for their psychophysical state. Taso Deljković has been an educator for many years and is the author of several professional and scientific articles in the field of psychology, support, and protection of witnesses and victims. From 2015 to 2018, she served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Fund for Victims at the International Criminal Court for Bosnia and Herzegovina. She also acts as an independent expert on issues of support and protection of witnesses and victims in criminal processes and beyond. Taso Deljković is a PhD candidate in the field of psychology at the University of Sarajevo and an international justice affiliate fellow of Georgetown Law University, Washington. She lives and works in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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For more information, e-mail [email protected].

Time: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm CET/GMT+1

Location: Online (Zoom)

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