In April 2017, 27 participants were trained in Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) in Bukavu in the Eastern DR Congo. This training course is part of the project “Assurer la formation des formateurs sur l’approche NET dans la prise en charge en santé mentale des surviviants des VSBG”.

Among the participants were psychologists, physicians, nurses and midwifes. The training was conducted by our Congolese NET trainers for the first time. They were supported and supervised by three psychologists from Germany and Great Britain. Content of the 15 days training were theoretical basics for the concept of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), diagnostic approaches and NET in theory and practice.

Due to a high prevalence of systematic abuse of women and children in the DR Congo, the main focus laid on sexual violence and cultural handling of sexual assaults. Additionally organisational topics such as implementation of NET in the respective work contexts, interventions and supervision were covered. The participants learned about the content via lectures, role plays, discussions and intensive work in small groups.

We are delighted that all 27 participants received a NET certificate at the end of the training course!