As a result of the war in Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of veterans are facing psychological trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety disorders, and addictions. These conditions can affect behavior and lead to conflicts with the law. However, current judicial practices largely ignore this factor, leading to unjust verdicts, retraumatization, and high recidivism rates.
The Educational Program for Judges aims to change this situation. It is based on the principles of trauma-informed, gender-sensitive, and people-centered justice.
The training includes several modules:
- Understanding the psychological consequences of war and addictions.
- Behavioral characteristics and social challenges of veterans in civilian life.
- International experience of veterans’ courts as an example of rehabilitative approaches.
- Rehabilitation as an alternative to imprisonment and its impact on reducing recidivism.
- Safe communication algorithms, “bench-cards” for judges, self-regulation tools, and working effectively within the judicial process.
Expected outcomes of the program:
- Judges will gain knowledge and practical tools for addressing trauma and addictions in judicial processes.
- Sustainable mechanisms for cooperation between courts, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, psychologists, and civil society organizations will be established.
- Reduced recidivism rates among veterans and enhanced social reintegration.
- Increased trust in the judicial system, demonstrating its ability to adapt to modern challenges and support recovery instead of relying solely on punitive measures.
In the long term, the program will be integrated into the professional development system of judges at the National School of Judges of Ukraine, and the materials developed will be made available in digital format. This will ensure the sustainability of the results, expand coverage, and contribute to systemic changes in Ukraine’s justice system.