So…what am I doing here? (Better late than never)

Somewhere between drinking Fanta and running away from stray cats, I realized I never blogged about what I'm doing in this part of the world.

Short answer: I’m completing an international field placement in Mostar, Bosnia, as required by the University of Denver’s Master’s in International Disaster/Trauma Psychology program. For 8 weeks I am an intern at the Center for Civic Initiatives (CCI).

Detailed answer: CCI is a non-governmental organization (NGO) which encourages citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to use their democratic rights and the National Court of Bosnia to improve their social welfare. So where does a mental health nerd fit in? CCI’s main work involves helping war crime witnesses and war crime victims (often the same thing) testify against war criminals. Unfortunately the process of prosecution isn’t exactly victim friendly. Among other unpleasant things, victims often have to tell their stories over and over during the process, putting them at risk for retraumatization. So my DU cohort and I have been asked to learn what we can about the court system as it pertains to witnesses, by research, observations, seminars and talking to potential witnesses. Then, our aim is to write a report on how the government and courts can better serve witnesses. Also, as a related project, we’re working on trainings that will provide more information to local lawyers, doctors and teachers about PTSD and other potential effects of war trauma.

Probably 10 weeks into the 8 week internship I’ll feel qualified and knowledgeable enough to do this.

Most of the people CCI works with are women who have been raped and otherwise tortured in war camps. On Friday Sara and I are going to Sarajevo to sit in on one of the war criminal trials, because one of the women supported by CCI will be testifying.