A new space for the psychological recovery of human trafficking victims under construction

NGO Atina, with the support of the Intesa Foundation, a philanthropic organization, has launched the construction of a new, purposefully designed facility, a Counseling center for the psychological recovery of victims of human trafficking. The opening of this space, which holds profound social significance, is planned for mid-October 2025.

This project is part of a broader initiative titled “Safe Steps: Empowerment beyond survival – integrated support for victims of violence and human trafficking,” aimed at establishing sustainable models of integrated, trauma-informed support for survivors. The new space for psychological empowerment, therapeutic work, and emotional stabilization is carefully designed to respond to the complex needs of individuals who have survived extreme experiences of violence and exploitation.

Psychological support as the foundation for recovery and empowerment

Since 2003, NGO Atina has continuously provided psychological support to victims, recognizing that without quality psychological care, there can be no effective recovery or reintegration of survivors of human trafficking.

During exploitation, victims are subjected to multiple and systematic forms of violence – physical, psychological, and sexual – which lead to feelings of helplessness, guilt, shame, and the loss of personal identity. These traumas do not end when the exploitation stops. They remain deeply present and affect everyday life: the ability to work, form relationships, make decisions, and trust institutional responses.

That is why psychological support is not a luxury, but a right, a necessity, and a precondition for a new beginning. Without it, many women remain trapped in a cycle of isolation, self-erasure, and increased risk of re-victimization. The deep and complex traumas these women carry, including fear, anxiety, guilt, and self-negation, require specialized, continuous, and empathetic care. Understanding these psychological consequences is essential for creating effective social reintegration programs.

Psychological support, combined with education and employment, forms the foundation of empowerment, enabling survivors not only to survive but also to reclaim their dignity and take an active role in society.

Infrastructure designed together with survivors

In the planning process, Atina actively involved women who had survived human trafficking, respecting their insights and specific suggestions. The result is a space that combines functionality with therapeutic value, featuring dedicated zones for individual and group sessions, as well as open and closed areas, natural materials, greenery, and soundproofing.

This environment is designed to provide a sense of safety, privacy, and calm, all of which are crucial for beginning the process of emotional recovery.

More than a space – an investment in social change

For this reason, investing in the Counseling Center for psychological recovery is not just an infrastructural or programmatic step, but a significant societal advancement. This new space will be more than just a place for therapy – it will become a platform for knowledge exchange, experience sharing, and professional cooperation, to build more resilient and inclusive communities.

Such investment contributes to reducing the risk of re-victimization and raising awareness about the importance of mental health as an essential part of achieving social justice.

Thanks to the support of the Intesa Foundation, this project is becoming a reality. Their philanthropic contribution enables not only the physical construction of the center but also strengthens Atina’s capacity to respond to the growing needs of women who have survived human trafficking.

Through this partnership, the Counseling Center becomes a symbol of resilience, solidarity, and the fight for a life of dignity, free from violence.