Last Thursday, Hayeong Kim, a psychological counselor at NKDB, delivered a specialized lecture on guidelines for supporting survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The session was part of a three-day workshop hosted by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) from May 6 to 8, which brought together North Korean human rights organizations in South Korea. As a member organization of FIDH, NKDB used this platform to emphasize a core institutional philosophy: rehabilitation is not a secondary service, but a fundamental form of justice. For survivors of SGBV, the path to redress begins with how their stories are heard and documented.
A central theme of the lecture was the critical need to bridge the gap between human rights documentation and psychological expertise. While many organizations conduct detailed documentation interviews, investigators often lack formal training in recognizing and responding to trauma. Hayeong’s session focused on equipping investigators with practical tools to identify trauma symptoms in real time and respond in ways that protect survivors throughout the interview process.
At NKDB, psychosocial support is closely integrated with human rights documentation. We believe documentation should be restorative rather than extractive, ensuring the process remains truly victim-centered. Hayeong explained how investigators can recognize signs of hyperarousal, such as anxiety or agitation, as well as hypoarousal, including emotional numbness or withdrawal. Understanding these responses allows investigators to pause or adjust interviews to keep survivors within a safe emotional space.
While NKDB provides separate counseling services for survivors, the documentation interview itself is designed to be a safe, non-retraumatizing environment. This philosophy also extends to the physical setting, including the use of adjustable lighting to create a calmer and more secure atmosphere for escapees sharing difficult experiences.
By integrating trauma-informed practices into documentation work, NKDB continues to demonstrate that accountability is not only about preserving testimony, but about protecting the dignity, safety, and humanity of every survivor throughout the process.
Last Thursday, Hayeong Kim, a psychological counselor at NKDB, delivered a specialized lecture on guidelines for supporting survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The session was part of a three-day workshop hosted by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) from May 6 to 8, which brought together North Korean human rights organizations in South Korea. As a member organization of FIDH, NKDB used this platform to emphasize a core institutional philosophy: rehabilitation is not a secondary service, but a fundamental form of justice. For survivors of SGBV, the path to redress begins with how their stories are heard and documented.
A central theme of the lecture was the critical need to bridge the gap between human rights documentation and psychological expertise. While many organizations conduct detailed documentation interviews, investigators often lack formal training in recognizing and responding to trauma. Hayeong’s session focused on equipping investigators with practical tools to identify trauma symptoms in real time and respond in ways that protect survivors throughout the interview process.
At NKDB, psychosocial support is closely integrated with human rights documentation. We believe documentation should be restorative rather than extractive, ensuring the process remains truly victim-centered. Hayeong explained how investigators can recognize signs of hyperarousal, such as anxiety or agitation, as well as hypoarousal, including emotional numbness or withdrawal. Understanding these responses allows investigators to pause or adjust interviews to keep survivors within a safe emotional space.
While NKDB provides separate counseling services for survivors, the documentation interview itself is designed to be a safe, non-retraumatizing environment. This philosophy also extends to the physical setting, including the use of adjustable lighting to create a calmer and more secure atmosphere for escapees sharing difficult experiences.
By integrating trauma-informed practices into documentation work, NKDB continues to demonstrate that accountability is not only about preserving testimony, but about protecting the dignity, safety, and humanity of every survivor throughout the process.