UN opens 12 centres for victims of sexual abuse in Ukraine

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The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has opened 12 centers across the country to support women and men who have suffered from sexual violence amidst the ongoing war, the UNFPA reports.

Olha Chuyeva, a staff member of the UNFPA office in Ukraine, said that in 2022, after the start of large-scale military actions and the first reports of sexual violence in the context of the war, the Ukrainian government turned to the UNFPA for assistance in creating a joint model for managing such situations and a rapid response system to help the victims. She noted that the first center for victims of sexual abuse was opened just one month after the request.

“These centres are essentially 'entry points' for people who have been victims of sexual violence. Their work is based on principles such as non-discrimination, safety, respect and confidentiality. These centers help anyone affected by the conflict, whether displaced internally or forced to leave the country,” said Olha Chuyeva.

She also pointed out that Ukraine has established and successfully operates remote psychotherapy platforms to assist those on occupied territories or those who have fled abroad.

Chuyeva highlighted that most of the assistance centers for victims of sexual violence are located in frontline areas. In 2024, three mobile centers were launched to serve five regions, ensuring that victims from these areas have access to qualified assistance.

Since 2022, the UNFPA has supported the uninterrupted operation of 152 gynecological consultation rooms with barrier-free access at medical institutions across the country. These centers provide non-stigmatized gynecological care, clinical management of rape cases and other urgent services related to sexual and reproductive health.

Equally important are the rehabilitation programs for women who have experienced violence during the war, particularly sexual abuse, developed by both international and Ukrainian experts.

According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), during Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, from February 24 to March 26, four types of sexual violence risks were identified: increased military presence and operations in civilian areas, destruction of homes and infrastructure, internal displacement, and the large number of women and girls leaving Ukraine, which led to a heightened risk of sexual violence and human trafficking. In January 2023, the United Nations reported that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had documented over 90 cases of sexual violence in Russian-occupied territories.

As earlier reported by the UOJ, the UN highlighted violations of religious rights in Ukraine.

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