40 survivors of wartime sexual violence receive reparations – Ukrainian gender policy commissioner

The first 40 survivors of sexual violence during the full-scale war have received monetary compensation in a pilot project for urgent reparations.

Source: the Ukrainian government portal with reference to a press conference to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

Details: "As of 18 June, 40 persons have received compensation through the project, and the process is ongoing. 142 applications have been submitted, 85 from women, 51 from men and 6 from children," said Kateryna Levchenko, the government’s Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy.

Anyone who has suffered sexual violence at the hands of the Russians since February 2014 can apply for help, Levchenko added.

Olha Stefanyshyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, noted that the Ukrainian government intends to turn the pilot project into a full-scale national reparations programme for everyone who has suffered from Russian aggression.

"We plan not only to offer financial compensation, but also to integrate long-term rehabilitation tools into the reparations mechanism, including psychological help and help with reintegration into society," she said.

Wartime sexual violence has became a tool of Russian aggression against Ukrainians living in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.

As of now, almost 300 such cases have been documented. Women, children, elderly people and men have all been victims of sexual violence by the Russians. In fact, CNN journalists found that men are being raped more and more frequently.

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