Victim Advocates International (VAI) is a membership organisation for victims of serious international crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Through VAI membership, victims can act in solidarity with other victims across the world, and can access the resources they need to effectively lead justice movements. Click here to learn more about the way we work.
VAI is a movement by and for victims. It consists of its victim group membership base and the VAI Secretariat. The VAI Secretariat exists as a resource hub through which victim groups from around the world can access legal resources and representation, and via which they can connect with other victim groups internationally. The VAI Secretariat does not speak on behalf of victims, but rather, provides a platform and support to allow them to speak for themselves. It is important for us that victims’ voices do not get hijacked by those who work with or represent them. Victims are the best placed to articulate their demands and lead their movement. VAI, as an organisation, facilitates this process.
To ensure members of VAI define and deliver its strategic vision, advisory committees are established at the regional and global level which are made up of victims and which advise the VAI Board and Executive Director. You can learn more about these advisory committees here.
The VAI Secretariat is currently spread across eight countries in Australasia, South, East and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and North America. Our team is passionate, dedicated and dynamic. VAI’s work requires different inputs, perspectives and backgrounds to be successful, and our majority-female team from across the world reflects that. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. VAI – in providing legal services – is also committed against unlawful discrimination of clients or the public.
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