Synergy for Justice CRSV Toolkit (pilot version)

This Toolkit has been developed to help identify and systematically dismantle CARSV misconceptions and structural stigma within our justice systems. It is a change tool aimed at tackling organisational culture and root causes of stigma, and improving CARSV competencies and justice outcomes. CARSV can be adjudicated in national courts where the crimes took place, but these processes are also conducted in international courts, hybrid courts and in national courts in countries remote from the crimes and survivors. This Toolkit has been designed for use in all these settings, regardless of the extent of adversarial or inquisitorial features in each system, regardless of whether a justice system is in a conflict, post-conflict or peace-time environment.

Note: The Toolkit’s main focus is on systems or courts where the adjudication of CARSV is expected or necessary with some frequency; for example, an international, hybrid or specialist national court which has jurisdiction over CARSV. There may be national systems which do not regularly address international crimes or CARSV, and only occasionally exercise extra-territorial jurisdiction in ad hoc cases. While universal jurisdiction cases are increasingly common and there may be dedicated investigative and prosecution teams, these cases may be heard by individual judges who have never and will never again hear ICL cases. If the Toolkit is being used in such circumstances for national functions with only a very small potential case-load and no dedicated function, some of the mainstreaming recommendations may be most valuable if focused on gender, cultural, trauma and broader SV competencies, rather than CARSV specifically.

The tool is available in English, French, Spanish and Ukrainian.