The researcher from the Euro-Arab Foundation, Rascha Albaba Acosta, took part from April 21 to 23 in the second in-person training session of the VicTory project, held in Budapest and hosted by the Hungarian Helsinki Committee.
Over three working days, around 30 participants from various European countries (Italy, Spain, Finland, Hungary, and Portugal) came together to address strategies aimed at preventing secondary victimisation in cases of hate crimes and violent extremism within the criminal justice process. The meeting brought together professionals who work directly with victims, both from public administrations and NGOs, as well as representatives of law enforcement agencies.
The sessions focused on key aspects such as the traumatic and psychosocial impact on victims, emotional support and mental health, and the importance of effective and inclusive communication. In this regard, the need to promote victim-centered communication—clear, accessible, empathetic, and tailored to their needs—was emphasized. Likewise, the fundamental role of trust and active listening in professional intervention was highlighted, especially in complex contexts such as hate crimes and extremism.
Another main focus was mental well-being, not only of victims but also of the professionals who support them, underscoring the importance of making this approach a priority in support services.
This meeting constitutes the second of three training sessions planned by the VicTory project, of which the Euro-Arab Foundation is a member. The project aims to strengthen the capacities of key professionals working with victims. The next session will take place in Finland, where the potential of restorative practices will be explored.
