Regional Dialogue on Strengthening a Victim-Centred Approach in Lviv
July 30, 2026
At the initiative of EUAM Ukraine and the Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine, and with the support of the Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Lviv Region, a workshop on the victim-centred approach was held in Lviv on 24 July 2026. The event also marked the launch of the Victim and Witness Support Unit within the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
Opening the workshop, Taras Podvirnyi, Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Lviv Region, stressed that every appeal received by the Commissioner’s Office represents “not merely a violation of rights, but a human story that requires a sensitive, individualised and victim-centred approach.” He also highlighted the importance of the newly established Unit in ensuring victims receive timely and meaningful support.
The workshop brought together representatives of law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, legal professionals, local authorities and civil society organisations to discuss practical ways of strengthening cooperation in support of victims and witnesses.
During the event, Rostyslav Pospieiev, Deputy Head of the Coordination Centre for Victims and Witnesses of the Office of the Prosecutor General, presented the Centre’s mandate and its work at the national and regional levels. Ola Quarnstrom, EUAM Senior Adviser on Victims’ Rights, outlined the EU framework for protecting victims’ rights. He also highlighted that many victims and survivors of international crimes have come to Lviv Region as IDPs. Ms Khrystyna Kit, lawyer and Head of the Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association “JurFem”, addressed the challenges of referral mechanisms and victim-centred approaches in cases of sexual and gender-based violence.
Focusing on the role of law enforcement, Dirk Molleman, EUAM Senior Adviser on General Policing, emphasised that “police intervention and victim interviews must be conducted in a manner that respects victims’ rights and prevents secondary victimisation.” He also highlighted the importance of trauma-informed interviewing techniques and protecting victims’ privacy throughout criminal proceedings.
The workshop concluded with a practical exercise during which participants developed guiding principles for cooperation between institutions supporting victims and witnesses. Discussions focused on improving information exchange, interagency coordination and communication between law enforcement agencies and civil society organisations.
Reflecting on the event, Marta Shevchuk, Head of the Committee on Criminal Law and Procedure of the Lviv Regional Bar Council, described the workshop as “an excellent platform for constructive dialogue” that helped develop common approaches to protecting victims’ rights in line with European standards.
The workshop also strengthened awareness of the role of the newly established Victim and Witness Support Unit, created through the long-standing cooperation between EUAM Ukraine and the Coordination Centre for Victims and Witnesses of the Office of the Prosecutor General. Similar regional units are being established across Ukraine to strengthen institutional support for victims and witnesses.
Concluding the event, Judge Nazarii Dulebko of the Sykhivskyi District Court of Lviv noted that “every victim has experienced an intrusion into their ordinary life” and stressed the importance of ensuring clear and fair legal procedures that prevent retraumatisation.
