On 30 September and 1 October 2026, in Plovdiv, the Foundation for Access to Rights (FAR) organized and hosted a two-day training seminar entitled "Effective Documentation of Signs of Violence. Psychological Aspects of Trauma – The Invisible Traces of Abuse Experienced by Asylum Seekers."

The seminar took place as part of the project "From 'Victim' to 'Victor': Support for Refugee Victims of Gender-Based Violence," implemented with the financial support of the Bulgarian Fund for Women and the European Union.

The event brought together 39 representatives of state institutions and non-governmental organizations working in the field and providing support to individuals at risk and applicants for international protection. Active participants in joint discussions and practical case studies included representatives from the Ministry of Interior (03 Regional Directorate and 05 Regional Directorate Plovdiv), the Social Assistance Directorates (SAD Plovdiv, SAD Hisarya, SAD Parvomay), the Child Protection Departments (CPD Plovdiv, CPD Rakovski), the Bulgarian Red Cross (Sofia, Haskovo), Mission Wings Foundation (Stara Zagora), Caritas Vitania – Plovdiv, USRF Foundation, "H & D Perspectives" Foundation (Dimitrovgrad), PULSE Foundation – Kardzhali branch, the Center for Support and Social Integration (CSSI) for Adults at Risk – Plovdiv Municipality, the Complex for Social Services for Children and Families (CSSCF) Plovdiv, CSSCF Stara Zagora, the Child Centre for Social Support (CCSS) Kazanlak under the "Future for Children" Association, CSSCF – Children's House, and others.

Key Topics and Lecturers

The training was structured into two thematic modules combining theoretical knowledge, legal standards, and practical group work:

• Psychological Module: The lead speaker was Mimoza Dimitrova, Clinical Psychologist. On the first day of the seminar, she introduced participants to the invisible traces of abuse—how trauma affects the body, memory, and behavior—as well as the specific manifestations of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), complex trauma, and dissociation. Special emphasis was placed on conducting trauma-informed interviews and recognizing signs that are not always visible in medical certificates. On the second day, the discussion focused on inter-institutional cooperation, prevention of secondary traumatization, and professional burnout among frontline professionals.

  

• Legal Module: The lecturer on legal aspects was Dr. Valeria Ilareva, Attorney-at-Law. She presented evidentiary standards and the legal framework for the effective documentation of signs of violence, including the requirements of the Istanbul Protocol and the EU New Pact on Migration and Asylum. Key principles covered included the early identification of special needs, shared responsibility in fact-finding, and the application of the benefit-of-the-doubt principle.

During the practical sessions, participants collaborated on specific case studies and exchanged valuable professional insights from their daily field practice.

The team at the Foundation for Access to Rights (FAR) extends its sincere gratitude to the lecturers for their exceptional expertise and to all participants for their active commitment, professionalism, and shared experience!

The project is realised with the financial support of the Bulgarian Fund for Women and the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the Bulgarian Fund for Women, the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency. Neither BFW, nor the EU or EACEA can be held responsible for them.