#BeMyVoice Campaign

13th May, 2024

Here is an article by Selvi Izeti, Spark of Life Master Practitioner at the Centre for Rehabilitation for Torture Victims, where the Spark of Life Model of Care is supporting the healing of trauma victims.

Selvi Izeti

April 14th in Kosovo is marked as the Memorial Day for Survivors of Sexual Violence during the Last War in Kosovo. Through commemorating this day, we remember the suffering and trauma of those who experienced sexual violence during the war in Kosovo. This day aims to acknowledge the injustice endured and the trauma resulting from such crimes, while also raising awareness about delayed justice and the fight against stigma.

Sexual violence perpetrated during the last war in Kosovo is a painful reality. This type of violence has been used as a weapon of war to subjugate, intimidate, and exert control over the population.

Beyond the physical and emotional damage inflicted on the victims at the time of the assault, this form of violence also has long-term consequences on their mental health, social relationships, and overall well-being.

In the post-war situation, social relationships between survivors and the rest of society are predominantly dominated by stigma against sexual violence during the war. According to reports, stigma surrounding wartime sexual violence continues to prevail in our society.

This stigma can manifest in various social, cultural, and systematic ways, affecting both the survivors and their families.

Why this date?

Five years ago on a day like April 14th, 2019, Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman, along with family, friends, and activists from the Kosovo Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Survivors (KRCT), visited the place where Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman, then 16 years old, was sexually assaulted by a serbian policeman.

During her testimony before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee about the terror she experienced from Serbian forces, she concluded by saying, “Today, I am a mother of two daughters, and I tell them what I have gone through, and I will not be at peace until I see justice. I demand the prosecution of criminals by taking immediate action, which would be justice for all survivors.”

Taking into account her painful history and that of thousands of other survivors, governmental authorities proposed that this date be recognized as an official day for survivors.

Several years later, following advocacy by KRCT, the Government of Kosovo, in consultation with the President of the Republic of Kosovo, declared April 14th as the Memorial Day for Survivors of Sexual Violence during the last war in Kosovo, during the meeting held on April 12th, 2023.

In this journey, the contribution of partner organizations of the “Be My Voice” platform (Kosovo Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Survivors, Medica Gjakova, Medica Kosovo, and the Center for the Promotion of Women’s Rights) must also be mentioned.

The Be My Voice platform continues to serve as a reference point in representing the interests of survivors of wartime sexual violence in Kosovo in processes addressing issues related to transitional justice, recognition of victim status, their rights, and empowering survivors of sexual violence in Kosovo and internationally.

Feride Rushiti, founder and executive director of KRCT, emphasized regarding the commemoration of this day that “This powerful symbolic recognition serves as a driving force for building a more inclusive and just society that acknowledges and addresses injustices and the suffering of survivors and serves as an achievement example in the field of transitional justice and awareness of the painful past.”

She added that “April 14th is a time to seek justice and access comprehensive support services for survivors, including medical care, psychosocial rehabilitation, and legal assistance.”

Survivor Shyrete Sulimani Tahiri, regarding stigma and seeking justice, insists that survivors of wartime sexual violence, as difficult as it may be, must raise their voices, demand delayed justice, and live outside the shadow of pain.

“Sexual violence in the context of war is a horrific reality that causes immense suffering and unavoidable trauma for survivors. I, as one of them, have found the courage not to hide behind the veil of invisible pain and to raise my voice for justice,” said survivor and activist Shyrete Tahiri Sulimani.

According to her, courage is a fundamental prerequisite for fighting stigma and achieving social awareness.

Meanwhile, regarding the importance of officializing this day in relation to collective memory and social relations in the post-war period, psychologist Selvi Izeti Çarkaxhiu from KRCT expressed that “from a psychological aspect, the official recognition of this special day dedicated exclusively to survivors of wartime sexual violence is acknowledgment of the pain and suffering of survivors, it is documentation of the truth and the call of collective memory.”

KRCT, 14 April. 2024

                                                                  ****

In honor of April 14th, KRCT has launched a social campaign:

#“Rehabilitation, healing, and justice for survivors are my obligation!”

#BeMyVoice,  which will run until June 19th, the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. This campaign aims to raise awareness about conflict-related sexual violence, involving various local and international representatives and collaborators.

Our campaign focuses on sharing the purpose and objectives of our efforts, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation, healing, and justice for survivors of sexual violence during conflicts. We aim to highlight the ongoing challenges faced by survivors and advocate for comprehensive support services, including medical care, psychosocial rehabilitation, and access to justice .

The campaign has garnered a highly positive response, with widespread support and active engagement from both local and international communities.

As we continue our campaign, we believe it is crucial for the global community to be aware of the consequences of conflict-related sexual violence. By standing in solidarity with survivors and advocating for their rights, we can work towards a world free from the horrors of sexual violence in conflict and ensure that survivors receive the support and justice they deserve.

Selvi Izeti Çarkaxhiu, KRCT