Partner: Kosovo Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims
By Besart Lumi
I still remember the silence in the room when Ramadan Nishori – knows as Dani – stood up to speak. It was April 14th, the official ‘Memorial Day of Survivors of Sexual Violence during the last War in Kosovo’. This date carries immense weight, as it marks the day Vasfije Krasniqi-Goodman, the first survivor to share her story, was raped at the age of 16. Her courage opened a path others could begin to follow.
For years, sexual violence during the war was considered an unbreakable taboo in Kosovo. Breaking that silence took years of persistent advocacy – a movement largely led and sustained by civil society. At its forefront was Dr. Feride Rushiti and her team at the Kosovo Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (KRCT). For 25 years, they worked relentlessly to create space, safety and support for victims of sexual violence. It was with KRCT’s support that Vasfije, later Shyhrete, and now Dani, found the strength to tell their stories . Their testimonies paved the way for greater social support for survivors and played a key role in combating stigmatisation.
The room where Dani shared his story was cold and dark, reflecting the emotional weight of what was unfolding: Dani was the first man to break the silence. In Kosovo’s society, discussing women as victims of sexual violence was a stigma, while the notion of male victims was dismissed. In a context where many refused to believe that men can be victims at all, Dani’s choice to speak up was nothing short of extraordinary. Despite the coldness, the room was warmed by the quiet solidarity of the hundreds present. Few moments have struck me as deeply, not just for Dani’s bravery, but for what it signified: a society in which male survivors can finally be seen, heard, and supported.
Dani’s groundbreaking public testimony proved to be a turning point. The story spread like wildfire across television stations, news portals, and social media; finally, the voices of male war rape survivors were being heard. A day later, another male survivor reached out to KRCT. Many more will now find the strength to begin their healing journey. New paths to accountability will emerge, bringing justice to victims.
KRCT remains key to this transformation. They’ve stood by survivors when few others would, advocating for justice, offering psychosocial support, and pushing for recognition, policy change, and long-term rehabilitation. They have helped to shift the narrative in Kosovo, not just by responding to trauma but by reshaping how society understands and empathises with survivors.
Their work has not gone unnoticed. Feride and KRCT are now nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. This reflects the trust they have earned, the societal changes they have influenced, and the healing they have made possible.
PeaceNexus has supported KRCT’s organisational development since 2020. I chose this story because it shows how dealing with the past can grow from one survivor’s courage into broader societal change. Dealing with the past is not only about history – it’s about breaking cycles of violence and rebuilding trust for the future.
