Campaign Story

This year marks the 20th ^anniversary of the war in Kosovo (1998-1999). However survivors of sexual violence committed during the war still face significant challenges and stigma within their communities. 

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The use of mass rape and other forms of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo (1998-1999) had significant consequences not only for the estimated 20,000 immediate victims, but also for their families and communities. In Kosovo, war-related sexual violence (including rape) is still culturally taboo and overwhelming stigma surrounds these crimes. The psychological recovery of survivors of sexual violence and torture has been greatly hampered by this stigma. The survivor’s fear of being rejected by their family and community creates an impediment to rehabilitation, access to justice, and socio-economic reintegration. Those who experienced sexual violence during the conflict experience enormous challenges in claiming rights to rehabilitative services, compensation and justice. So far,

Since 1999, Kosovo Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (KRCT), NGO based in Kosovo,  has developed and implemented programs focused on supporting psycho-social and medical recovery of survivors of sexual violence in Kosovo.

This year we want to raise more awareness and funds of the issue of stigma and the impact it has on reintegration of survivors into communities.

On the 26th ^of  June, we are launching the campaign ‘Be My Voice’, that aims to raise awareness and funds on war related sexual violence, fighting prejudices and stigma, and promotion of social inclusion for survivors of sexual violence from the war time .

Our goal is to raise at least € 20,000, through the KOSOVA ideas online platform , which funds are going to open a workplace that will serve for training and employment, wherein war rape victims will empower their role within family and society by creation and selling of handiwork.

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