Peruvian psychologists in charge of rescuing victims of trafficking in persons enhance their skills to give better emotional support
Understanding and responding effectively to the diverse reactions of victims to trauma contributes to their recovery and reintegration, and helps in the criminal justice proceedings to punish the perpetrators.
21 September 2023
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Lima - Psychologists from the District Assistance Units for Victims and Witnesses (UDAVIT) of the Public Ministry of Lima received training in the application of the trauma-informed approach, emotional support and crisis management of child and adolescent victims of trafficking. This training will be particularly relevant for rescue operations carried out by this Unit.
The workshop was facilitated by Ana Sierra, a U.S. expert on trauma and specialized care for victims of trafficking.
UDAVIT professionals learned how to incorporate the trauma-informed approach in their interactions with victims, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of this type of trauma and how to avoid re-victimization. Fiorella Saavedra, a psychologist from the Immediate Assistance Unit for Victims and Witnesses (UAIVIT) in the Puente Piedra district of Lima, said that the workshop allowed her to empathize, to have a different perspective on the survivors and to have a better understanding of the impact of trauma on the survivors' lives.
In turn, Julia Samame, psychologist at the UAIVIT of Condevilla in the district of San Martin de Porres, emphasized the importance of these workshops to remind us of the empathy that is necessary when dealing with victims of trafficking, "this is something that is often forgotten due to the day-to-day nature of our work. It is very important to think about how to approach each survivor, especially in operations", explained the professional.
In the opening day, Juan Carlos Villena Campana, Coordinator of the Central Unit for Protection and Assistance to Victims and Witnesses of the Public Ministry highlighted the importance of the publication of the "Intersectoral Protocol for the Prevention and Prosecution of the Crime and the Protection, Care and Reintegration of Victims of Trafficking". This document, prepared with the technical assistance of the ILO, outlines processes and actions to standardize prevention; protection, care and reintegration of victims; and prosecution, control and punishment of the crime, with special principles and considerations for cases involving children and adolescents.
In this sense, Dr. Villena, who is also a Supreme Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecution Office for Family Matters of the Public Ministry highlighted the commitment of the justice operators in the eradication of this crime and the achievement of justice for survivors.
In addition, Karina Jensen, CTA of the ILO project "Partnerships in Action to End Trafficking in Children and Adolescents", highlighted the importance of applying the trauma-informed and victim-centered approach to create physically and emotionally safe environments.
The workshop was facilitated by Ana Sierra, a U.S. expert on trauma and specialized care for victims of trafficking.
UDAVIT professionals learned how to incorporate the trauma-informed approach in their interactions with victims, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of this type of trauma and how to avoid re-victimization. Fiorella Saavedra, a psychologist from the Immediate Assistance Unit for Victims and Witnesses (UAIVIT) in the Puente Piedra district of Lima, said that the workshop allowed her to empathize, to have a different perspective on the survivors and to have a better understanding of the impact of trauma on the survivors' lives.
In turn, Julia Samame, psychologist at the UAIVIT of Condevilla in the district of San Martin de Porres, emphasized the importance of these workshops to remind us of the empathy that is necessary when dealing with victims of trafficking, "this is something that is often forgotten due to the day-to-day nature of our work. It is very important to think about how to approach each survivor, especially in operations", explained the professional.
In the opening day, Juan Carlos Villena Campana, Coordinator of the Central Unit for Protection and Assistance to Victims and Witnesses of the Public Ministry highlighted the importance of the publication of the "Intersectoral Protocol for the Prevention and Prosecution of the Crime and the Protection, Care and Reintegration of Victims of Trafficking". This document, prepared with the technical assistance of the ILO, outlines processes and actions to standardize prevention; protection, care and reintegration of victims; and prosecution, control and punishment of the crime, with special principles and considerations for cases involving children and adolescents.
In this sense, Dr. Villena, who is also a Supreme Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecution Office for Family Matters of the Public Ministry highlighted the commitment of the justice operators in the eradication of this crime and the achievement of justice for survivors.
In addition, Karina Jensen, CTA of the ILO project "Partnerships in Action to End Trafficking in Children and Adolescents", highlighted the importance of applying the trauma-informed and victim-centered approach to create physically and emotionally safe environments.