A powerful new documentary, Voices of Resilience, has brought renewed attention to one of the darkest chapters of the Kosovo War, featuring the testimonies of survivors of sexual violence committed by Serbian forces during the 1998–1999 conflict.
Speaking on Kosova Live, Mirlinda Sada, Executive Director of Medica Gjakova, discussed the documentary and revealed one of its most heartbreaking stories — that of a married couple who both became victims of wartime sexual violence.
According to Sada, the husband and wife were separated by Serbian forces during the war and taken to different locations, where each was subjected to sexual abuse. Decades later, the trauma continues to shape their lives.
One particularly tragic aspect of the story is that the man’s family still does not know what he endured during the war. Due to the stigma, shame, and psychological burden that many male survivors continue to face, he chose to remain anonymous in the documentary, sharing his experience only through his voice.
The documentary presents five personal testimonies from survivors, highlighting not only the atrocities committed during the conflict but also the resilience of those who have spent years fighting for dignity, recognition, and justice.
Organizations supporting survivors stress that many victims of wartime sexual violence, especially men, continue to suffer in silence because of social stigma and fear of discrimination. Their stories remain among the least discussed consequences of the war.
Voices of Resilience seeks to ensure that these experiences are neither forgotten nor ignored, while reminding society of the importance of truth, accountability, and continued support for survivors of wartime crimes.
