Between 2015 and 2022, Common Threads Project partnered with Bosnian women’s organization Žene sa Une to support survivors of wartime rape, domestic violence, and forced migration. The program trained 29 local clinicians and directly reached approximately 100 survivors.
Background
Memories of wartime terror, internment, abuse and rape still deeply affect the lives of tens of thousands of Bosnian women. During the war (1992-1995), rape was used as a weapon against communities. Tragically, this history is still shrouded in secrecy and shame, and little public discourse is devoted to the plight of these civilian victims. Estimates vary between 20,000 and 50,000 thousand women who suffered in this way.
As intergenerational trauma transmission is manifest, it becomes clear that effective long-term trauma recovery is urgently needed for survivors and their families.
In recent years, Bosnia has also seen an influx of migrants and refugees seeking safety in the European Union.
Our Work
We launched our Bosnia program in 2015. Sixteen facilitators participated in the first 80-hour experiential training and adapted the intervention for their communities. Between 2016 and 2018, these facilitators led healing circles for over 65 women in urban and rural settings in and around Zenica, Tuzla, and Bihać. Our clinical team returned to Bosnia in early 2017 to provide additional training and preparation.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, our partners in Bosnia faced a growing crisis of domestic violence. In 2021, our partner Žene sa Une launched a new Common Threads circle for women living in their safe house shelter. In 2022, we continued the healing circles with women at ŽSU’s safe house shelter and launched new circles that May.
View “Migrant Life in Sedra”, a Bosnia-made story cloth.
Supporting Staff Resiliency
Like front-line workers around the world, staff at our partner Žene sa Une encountered intolerable levels of stress while responding to the related crises of COVID-19 and domestic violence.
CTP faculty Catherine Butterly and Cynthia Uccello co-created a comprehensive program for staff care and resilience with Žene sa Une. This program continued into 2022, prioritizing wellness and comprehensive care for all ŽSU staff who work with survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and with refugees.
View Photos from Bosnia and Herzegovina
