[Workshop] Self-Care & Dealing with Continuous Traumatic Stress for Ukrainian Judges

On 8 July 2026, the T.M.C. Asser Institute and the National School of Judges of Ukraine organised a workshop on self-care and continuous traumatic stress for Ukrainian judges. Led by Alma Taso Deljkovic, psychologist, psychotherapist, and expert in supporting witnesses and victims in criminal proceedings, the session focused on continuous traumatic stress (CTS) in judicial work in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The workshop focused on continuous traumatic stress (CTS) and how it differs from secondary trauma. Participants considered pressures specific to the Ukrainian judiciary, including repeated exposure to witness accounts and evidence of atrocities, sustained professional responsibility, and the need to preserve professional neutrality and impartiality. Discussions examined how chronic stress can affect judges’ professional capacities and quality of life, reasoning, patience during hearings, and the perceived fairness of judicial proceedings.

Through guided exercises, individual reflection, and small-group work, participants learned to recognise their own early warning signs of overload and explored practical regulation techniques that can be used during hearings, case review, and deliberations. The workshop also addressed ethical resilience, including how judges can manage the moral weight of difficult cases and balance empathy with professional neutrality without becoming over-identified or emotionally withdrawn. Together, these activities helped participants develop realistic and sustainable self-care approaches adapted to the particular demands of judicial work in Ukraine.

Particular attention was given to moving beyond individual coping towards shared responsibility. Participants developed realistic, low-resource practices such as informal peer check-ins, brief conversations following difficult hearings, end-of-case decompression, and personal warning and action plans. The session underscored that judicial well-being is not merely a personal matter: sustaining the functioning and quality of justice systems requires supporting the judges who carry out their work under exceptionally demanding conditions.

More information:
Further information about the workshop topics and practical details can be found in the attached programme, accessible by clicking on this icon 

[About project] Restoring Dignity and Justice in Ukraine: Phase II
This initiative forms part of the broader 'Restoring Dignity and Justice in Ukraine: Phase II' programme, focusing on advancing accountability for international crimes committed in Ukraine. The programme is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.