Civilians often bear the brunt of the crimes of war. Adults and children witness their loved ones being killed, tortured, and raped. Children are forced to join fighting forces. Women and girls, and sometimes men and boys, are victims of sexual violence. People see their property and livelihoods destroyed. Victims feel stripped of their dignity and may be shunned by their communities. Conflict tears apart the social and economic fabric of societies.
Marginalisation makes it harder for victims to be heard, to get help, and rebuild their lives. Those who are stigmatised and vulnerable even in times of peace suffer more acutely in times of conflict. Widows returning to their villages, for example, have to struggle to get their homes back because women rarely hold title to the family property. Crimes may compound existing vulnerabilities, or may lead to victims being ostracised from their societies. Rape victims often refrain from mentioning their plight to avoid being shunned by their families. Victims of mutilation can be rejected by their communities. Often, people are victims of multiple crimes.
The TFV listens to the most vulnerable victims of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, and amplifies their voices in the international arena. It raises public awareness and mobilizes people, ideas and resources. It funds innovative projects through intermediaries to relieve the suffering of the often forgotten survivors. The TFV works closely with NGOs, community groups, experts, governments, and UN agencies at local, national, and international levels.
The TFV aims to directly address and respond to victims’ physical, psychological, or material needs. It develops its activities with the victims themselves as partners. The TFV does not dispense charity; it provides the tools for victims to help themselves regain their dignity, livelihoods, and place within their families and communities. By focusing on local ownership and leadership, the TFV empowers victims as main stakeholders in the process of rebuilding their lives.