TRAINING: A look back at the first OIAD training workshop on safety and psychosocial risks
The International Observatory for Lawyers in Danger (OIAD) held a training workshop on security and psychosocial risks for Spanish-speaking human rights lawyers on 13 March 2025. The session was held in the Assembly Hall of the Spanish National Bar Council (Consejo General de la Abogacía Española – CGAE) in Madrid and was broadcast live on Zoom.
The training was led by social psychologist and doctor in sociology, Arancha García del Soto, who shared tools to strengthen self-care and collective support among legal professionals. Ms. García del Soto stressed that human rights work requires a high level of commitment and conviction, which can lead to doubts about one’s own worth and effectiveness. She stressed the importance of developing strategies for emotional self-management, such as relaxation techniques, activities in nature, dance and music, as well as fostering mutual support and building networks with people who understand the situation of vulnerability and the need for well-being.
During the workshop, the ”do no harm” interviewing methodology when dealing with victims of human rights violations was also discussed. Ms. García del Soto emphasised the need to listen carefully to the impact of violence on victims, avoiding re-traumatisation and helping them to focus on the present. Tools for emotional self-management, teamwork and stress management were also discussed, aiming to strengthening the capacity to handle critical situations and promoting emotional safety.
This workshop addressed the identified needs among legal professionals who face risks in their work, reaffirming OIAD’s commitment to the protection and well-being of lawyers defending human rights in at-risk environments.
Should you have been unable to attend the event, do not hesitate to seek a recording and supporting materials of the session by sending an email to the following address: contact@protect-lawyers.org
