As a children's rights organisation, it is our task to focus on the most serious violations of children's rights in Ukraine. One issue that is as tragic as it is important is the reappraisal of sexualised violence against children in Ukraine since the large-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. We have published a study on this topic.

Text: Elias Dehnen and Dr Judith Striek

We conducted 15 interviews for the study: with organisations in Ukraine that support affected children, but also with other experts - such as the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office. One thing is certain: the true extent of the problem will only become clear many years after the end of the war. Children in Ukraine who have suffered sexualised violence - whether at the hands of Russian soldiers or in their social environment - already need the best possible support.

It can be assumed that the Russian military is using sexualised violence as a tactic of war. For example, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has reported rape by Russian soldiers. The youngest victim is just four years old. Thirteen cases of such violence against children have been registered since February 2022. In 2023, 915 cases of general sexualised violence against children were also documented in Ukraine. These figures increase in armed conflicts: due to the social crisis mode, lowered inhibition thresholds and refugee movements.

The number of unreported cases is immensely high. This is due to a lack of data from the Ukrainian provinces near the war front and from the areas occupied by Russia, a lack of information, a lack of trust in investigators, stigmatisation of those affected ("you collaborated with the Russian enemy") and the fear of survivors that Russian soldiers will return.

Ukrainian organisations such as the Kindernothilfe partner "NGO Girls" play an essential role in providing psychological, medical and legal support for those affected. However, services such as child-friendly centres with intensive care are not accessible to all young people, especially if they live near the war front. In addition, some parents block these offers of help for fear of stigma. There is also a lack of trained psychotherapists who specialise in war trauma.

The upcoming Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in Berlin in June 2024 should address the social dimension as well as the economy and infrastructure. Kindernothilfe is calling for the conference to focus on the perspectives of affected Ukrainian children and existing positive practical examples. This is the only way to ensure that sexualised violence in Ukraine is dealt with in an appropriate and sustainable manner.

Length: 20 pages

This study is also available in Ukrainian.

Contact:
Elias Dehnen, Advocacy Officer
elias.dehnen@kindernothilfe.de
0203 7789 185

Dr Judith Striek, Advocacy Officer
judith.striek@kindernothilfe.de
0203 7789-181