Within the framework of the “Untold Stories” project, we held the two-day training aimed at professionals who work daily with vulnerable groups. The training brought together 29 participants – teachers, social workers, mediators, and youth workers from:

Primary School “St. Ivan Rilski”, Primary School “Otets Paisiy”, Primary School “Konstantin Arabadzhiev”, CNST “Izgrev”, SOS Families at risk foundation, Black Sea Youth Center, as well as a health mediator from Varna Municipality and a Roma mediator from the community center “Yavin-2004”.
Their active engagement and professional experience turned the training into a space for practical solutions and knowledge exchange.

Training: Human Trafficking

Participants were introduced in depth to the characteristics of the crime, the mechanisms of deception and control, as well as high-risk groups and family environments where trafficking often occurs. The following topics were covered:

• the trafficking process – from initial recruitment to exploitation;

• the National Referral Mechanism for victims of trafficking, case management steps, and institutional cooperation;

• building a safety plan, risk assessment, and specialized support services;

• approaches to interviewing and working with a victim – what should be avoided and how to guarantee emotional and physical safety.

The session also included real video interviews with trafficking survivors. They created a strong emotional impact and allowed participants to see the human reality behind the statistics.

Training: Domestic Violence

The second part of the training focused on the dynamics of domestic violence – its psychological and social dimensions, as well as its different forms: physical, emotional, financial, and sexual.
Key topics included:

• the role of children – both as witnesses and as victims;

• child protection measures and reporting mechanisms;

• the profile and behavior of the perpetrator, the stages of separation, and the dangers the victim faces in the process;

• services and support programs, as well as the real barriers to accessing them.

A key moment was the explanation of the Domestic Violence Protection Act by lawyer Milena Nikolova, who provided practical examples, answers to questions, and case discussions based on the participants’ real-life experiences.

Partnership with SOS Families at Risk Foundation

The training was conducted by Anna Nikolova and her colleagues from the SOS Families at Risk Foundation – an organization with over 20 years of experience in combating violence and human trafficking.
The foundation operates:

• a crisis center for children at risk within family environments or from trafficking;

• a crisis center for women – victims of domestic violence;

• a shelter for women – victims of trafficking, providing protection, accommodation, and restorative support.

Their professionalism and long-standing expertise added depth and confidence to every topic discussed.

Importance for the Project

This training represents the first in a series of steps within “Untold Stories”, aimed at building a strong local support network. Professionals who encounter victims of violence or exploitation on a daily basis now have clearer tools, approaches, and contacts to apply in their work. Together, we are laying the foundation for a safe, informed, and humane environment, where every woman and every child can seek help and be heard.

The “Untold Stories” project aims to break the cycle of violence within the Roma community through trainings, awareness sessions, and the development of a sustainable support network. It trains local leaders, mediators, and specialists, gathers real data from communities and schools, and provides information on legal and social assistance. The project is funded under the European Solidarity Corps program “Solidarity Projects“and seeks to reach women and children at risk, as well as professionals who work with them every day.

Follow our website and our Facebook and Instagram profiles for current opportunities and offers!

The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the content, which reflects the views of the authors alone, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.