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Description
The Centre for Women War Victims ROSA aims to combating discrimination and violence against women by providing assistance and support to women survivors of sexual and other forms of violence in war and peace, advocating for changes in public policies and legal framework and raising public awareness in protection of women''s human rights and achieving full equality.
Strategic goals:
1. Exercise rights and empowerment of women survivors of violence in war and peace, trafficking in women and prostitution, sexual violence, harmful practices, war rape and other forms of war violence
2. Improving public policies and legal frame for prevention and protection of women from discrimination and violence
3. Raising public awareness of causes and consequences of violence against women as the most serious obstacles for achieving gender equality
4. Strengthening capacity of CSOs and institutions to respond effectively to problem of violence against women
Programs:
1. Help and support for women survivors of violence (SOS line for victims of human trafficking, Psycho-social and legal assistance, Information on possibilities of help)
2. Women''s peace policies/gender dimension of transitional justice; Participation in networks in post-conflict societies in order to establish rule of law and address human rights violations in past.
3. Advocating for advancement of women''s rights and position of women in society
4. Empowering feminist movement and civil society
We respond to problem of violence against women as a consequence of social construction of unequal distribution of power between men and women as the most serious obstacle for achieving full equality. We organize individualized professional services that are not available in the social welfare system and advocate for improving of system.
Target groups -women: survivors of war rape and other forms of war violence; victims of trafficking and prostitution; refugees; victims of sexual violence, CSOs; institutions; public.
Summary of project results
Gender-based violence remains deeply ingrained in society, often going unrecognized in its structural nature and its disproportionate impact on women. A gender-sensitive approach is frequently dismissed as biased, and the mechanisms for combating violence, protecting victims, and ensuring compensation are inadequate. As a result, many survivors do not receive the support they need, and distrust in the system prevents many from reporting the violence they experience.
Victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation face additional layers of stigma. Instead of being recognized as survivors of gender-based and sexual violence, they are often perceived as having ''voluntarily'' chosen prostitution, which diminishes their victimhood. Victim-blaming, skepticism about their experiences, and a failure to acknowledge their vulnerability further exacerbate their suffering. Early identification of risks and timely legal intervention are crucial to providing meaningful protection and support.
Many women who survived wartime rape in the 1990s have never spoken about their experiences, often unaware that they have legal avenues to claim their rights. These women require assistance with preparing documentation, as well as psychological, legal, and advisory support. Similarly, refugee women arriving in Croatia since 2015 face significant obstacles in accessing their rights and integrating into society. Many live in isolation, lacking information and support while being exposed to various forms of violence and harmful traditional practices. Administrative hurdles, language barriers, and unfamiliarity with the system make it even harder for them to seek protection and assistance.
Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence need comprehensive, long-term support tailored to their specific circumstances. A victim-centered approach that acknowledges their needs is essential in helping them reclaim their rights and rebuild their lives.
The project primarily targeted women who had survived wartime rape and other forms of conflict-related violence, victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation, survivors of sexual violence, and refugee women and their families. They required psychological, psychiatric, legal, and advisory assistance in seeking protection and asserting their rights. For refugee women, translation services and cultural mediation were also critical in overcoming barriers to support.
Additionally, the project engaged civil society organizations and institutions in efforts to strengthen knowledge, foster cooperation, and improve responses to gender-based violence. By raising public awareness about the root causes, prevalence, and consequences of such violence, as well as the rights of survivors and the mechanisms available for their protection, the project sought to challenge societal tolerance of gender-based violence and drive systemic change.
The program provided support and assistance to women who had survived various forms of gender-based violence, including wartime rape, sexual violence, and human trafficking for sexual exploitation. Over the course of implementation, 507 women received support, with 127 newly joining the program. Many found their way to the program through social media, email, and digital platforms, while others were referred by civil society organizations and institutions.
Support was offered through group sessions, individual legal aid, psychological counseling, and advisory services. While most assistance was provided in person, some was delivered via phone, email, and online applications. Following radio campaigns in 2022, more women who had survived wartime rape sought support, and with the arrival of Ukrainian refugees, additional support groups were organized in Osijek and Zagreb. While the Osijek group was discontinued in 2023, individual counseling and telephone support remained available. In Zagreb, both group and individual support continued, assisting 22 women.
Women experiencing violence frequently reached out via social media, particularly through Facebook. The program included individual counseling, psychological support in both individual and group settings, legal advice, and court representation. Therapeutic retreats were also organized, benefiting two groups of women: refugees from Syria, Iraq, and surrounding regions, as well as survivors of war in the Balkans.
The SOS helpline for human trafficking received 1,465 calls, leading to 12 cases being referred to the Department of Organized Crime due to suspected trafficking. Additionally, 62 new women reached out for information and assistance through social media, email, and partner referrals.
Throughout the program, 34 women successfully exercised their rights through various institutions, gaining recognition as victims of wartime sexual violence, securing civilian victim status, obtaining one-time social assistance, free supplementary health insurance, family reunification, residency extensions, and access to international protection. The organization played a key role in supporting women in testifying before the Commission for Victims of Sexual Violence in War, contributing to institutional changes and increased acknowledgment of survivor needs. A Supreme Court ruling overturned a denied victim status case, leading to the reassessment of the survivor’s claim. Ukrainian refugee women housed in Osijek also received support in securing their social rights.
Data collection and monitoring remained a key aspect of the program. The organization maintained detailed case files, including legal documents, psychological evaluations, and records of proceedings. Data was electronically recorded for statistical tracking, analysis, and donor reporting, with additional measures in place to ensure data security and compliance with legal regulations.
The program also focused on strengthening its team to enhance service provision. Three new staff members were hired, although one did not pass the probation period, necessitating a repeat selection process. The hiring of an office manager was postponed to late 2023 to prioritize reporting and new project applications. Despite this, responsibilities were effectively redistributed among existing staff to ensure operational efficiency.
Among the new hires, a sociologist took on administrative tasks, proposal writing, service provision, and donor reporting, while a legal expert with extensive experience in advocacy and support for women survivors played a key role in case management and project development. She led advocacy initiatives, including drafting an Anti-Trafficking Directive in collaboration with the European Women’s Lobby and preparing an EU-level policy document on prostitution regulation. She also participated in discussions with a Croatian Member of the European Parliament on prostitution legislation.
Through two ESF projects focused on social inclusion, advocacy, and combating violence against women, the project organized 10 educational sessions for four women’s organizations. Eight sessions were led by participating organizations based on their expertise, while two featured external experts. The ROSA Center organized six of these trainings, improving members’ ability to conduct workshops and create educational materials. New employees also received specialized training on gender-based violence prevention, human trafficking, and human rights advocacy. This knowledge was applied in organizing educational sessions, hosting study visits for Ukrainian institutional and civil society representatives, and preparing monitoring reports for international bodies.
Advocacy was a vital component of the project, both nationally and internationally. At the national level, the organization worked on law improvement proposals, organized public events such as a consultation on prostitution regulation and a roundtable on wartime sexual violence, and engaged in policy advocacy supported by the British Embassy and other institutions. It promoted the Equality Model in prostitution regulation, advocating for the decriminalization of women in prostitution and the criminalization of clients.
Internationally, the organization contributed to key policy changes, including a European Parliament resolution on prostitution regulation and a UN report supporting the Equality Model. Study visits were organized for Ukrainian experts to exchange experiences on wartime sexual violence and victim support systems in Croatia. The organization also played a role in drafting national policies, influencing changes in criminal law, and advocating for international human rights standards, particularly in relation to sexual violence in conflict and human trafficking.
Awareness-raising efforts focused on public campaigns addressing prostitution as violence against women and the rights of survivors, helping to foster broader understanding within society and policy-making bodies. The project also contributed to campaigns seeking accountability for war crimes, such as those in Ahmići and during Operation Storm, while opposing the glorification of war criminals. Additionally, protests and advocacy initiatives were organized against gender-based violence and discrimination, further strengthening the legal and institutional framework for the protection of women’s rights.
Moving forward, the project remains committed to providing direct support, legal and psychological assistance, and advocating for stronger institutional responses to gender-based violence. Future plans include further strengthening data security, expanding the team, and continuing advocacy efforts to ensure survivors receive the recognition and support they need.
This project provided vital support to women who survived war-related and gender-based violence, helping them rebuild their lives and access their rights. At the same time, it strengthened institutional responses and pushed for legal and policy changes to better protect vulnerable women. Through advocacy, direct assistance, and international cooperation, the project made a lasting impact on survivors, institutions, and broader policies.
Women who experienced war-related sexual violence, human trafficking, and other forms of abuse received direct support, helping them regain control over their lives. Many developed a clearer understanding of their rights and available services, allowing them to advocate for themselves with greater confidence. Institutional awareness of survivors’ needs also improved, leading to stronger recognition of their rights and better support systems. The organization expanded its reach by working with asylum-seeking women and foreign workers who are victims of violence. It connected with similar groups across Europe, exchanging experiences and learning from cultural mediators. However, language barriers posed challenges, delaying judicial processes and limiting access to psychological and legal counseling. Where possible, translators were secured, and translation apps were used to facilitate communication.
On a broader scale, the project influenced key international reports, including submissions to the GREVIO Committee and the UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. By gathering and sharing real-life experiences, it helped raise awareness among policymakers and international organizations, reinforcing gender-related policies and advocating for stronger protections for women. It also played a key role in shaping Croatia’s National Policy for Combatting Human Trafficking until 2030, ensuring that key recommendations were included. The organization is now recognized as a key stakeholder in the Council of Europe’s GRETA expert group on anti-trafficking efforts and is involved in GRETA’s upcoming visit to Croatia.
In Europe, the project collaborated with networks such as the European Women’s Lobby to ensure that women’s rights issues were heard at the EU level. It worked with institutions responsible for protecting women’s rights, raising awareness about war-related sexual violence and human trafficking. These efforts amplified the advocacy work of feminist organizations and brought greater public attention to these pressing issues. A major milestone was the exchange of expertise on war-related sexual violence with Ukrainian organizations. Study visits were organized for Ukrainian judges, institutional representatives, and civil society groups, allowing them to learn from Croatia’s support system for survivors. A high-level roundtable on war-related sexual violence gathered government officials, ministries, law enforcement, academics, and civil society representatives to discuss survivors’ challenges in accessing justice. Media coverage of the event helped raise public awareness and challenged the perception that this issue was only a problem of the past.
One of the project’s key achievements was strengthening its team through the hiring of new staff, including a lawyer and a sociologist, as well as providing specialized training for existing employees. This expansion boosted the organization’s presence in public discussions, earning invitations to speak at events and solidifying its role as a prominent voice in women’s rights advocacy. Financial support also enabled participation in training and mentoring programs, further enhancing the organization’s structure. The implementation of the OK2015 Quality Management System significantly strengthened internal capacities, enabling the organization to respond more effectively to crises and expand its advocacy efforts.
The project’s impact extended to four women’s organizations, with 10 educational sessions organized. Eight of these sessions were led by the participating organizations themselves, and two brought in external experts. The ROSA Center played a crucial role by organizing six of these sessions, which strengthened its members’ skills in conducting workshops and creating educational materials. New staff also received specialized training on gender-based violence prevention, human trafficking, and human rights advocacy, which they applied in organizing further educational sessions, hosting study visits for Ukrainian representatives, and preparing monitoring reports for international bodies. These efforts ultimately enhanced the capacities of the organizations involved, improved collaboration, and contributed to global advocacy initiatives.
The project played a crucial role in shaping policies and laws by submitting proposals and organizing discussions with stakeholders. It hosted two major public events—one on the legal regulation of prostitution and another on war-related sexual violence—bringing together government officials, civil society groups, and international partners to address challenges and propose solutions. A significant focus was placed on advocating for the Equality Model, which protects individuals in prostitution while holding buyers accountable. Despite initial exclusion from discussions on new legislation, the project successfully pushed for the inclusion of the Ombudswoman for Gender Equality and the Office of the Ombudswoman in the working group, strengthening the push for better legal protections. Internationally, the project secured support for the Equality Model from organizations representing thousands of women’s rights groups, contributing to global efforts to strengthen protections for women and girls facing economic and gender-based challenges.
Dr. Anita Lauri Korajlija, an external collaborator, participated in the Judicial Academy program, educating criminal judges and court advisers on understanding sexual violence and its consequences. The Judicial Academy accepted the organization’s proposal to develop educational materials and conduct workshops for professional development activities. Additionally, 200 copies of the publication "Legal and Media Perspectives on Human Trafficking and Prostitution" were provided for use in training sessions.
With an increasing number of refugees, asylum seekers, and foreign workers in Croatia, more women from these groups sought support for violence-related issues. The organization played a crucial role in addressing gaps in protection mechanisms, offering free legal representation, translation services, cultural mediation, and psychological counseling. As the only organization in Croatia providing free legal aid to survivors of sexual violence during war, human trafficking, and asylum seekers, it became a vital referral point for other organizations working with victims. Through its legal aid program, the project supported women whose claims for war-related sexual violence were initially rejected, helping them achieve positive outcomes. Five women were granted official victim status, two of whom received favorable decisions after lengthy legal battles. These cases set important precedents for survivor recognition and justice.
For human trafficking survivors, legal representation and court advocacy were provided, including cases referred by the Croatian Red Cross. The project’s holistic support extended to helping survivors with job searches, housing, language courses, school enrollment for their children, securing scholarships, accessing medical care, and navigating social welfare systems. This direct assistance helped women integrate into Croatian society and secure their rights.
By strengthening advocacy, expanding direct services, and increasing organizational capacity, the project significantly improved the lives of survivors while influencing national and international policies. Its continued work ensures that vulnerable women receive the protection and support they need to reclaim their rights and rebuild their futures.