Ukrainian Women Speak Out Against War-Time Sexual Assaults

As the war in Ukraine continues, women are breaking their silence on sexual violence, revealing the harsh realities faced during the Russian occupation, raising awareness, and advocating for change.

In recent months, a movement has begun to unfurl in the villages of Ukraine’s Kherson region as women survivors of sexual assault gradually find their voices. Experts suggest that thousands may have suffered sexual violence at the hands of Russian soldiers throughout the ongoing conflict, yet societal stigma has long kept them silent. However, this is starting to change.

One of the most remarkable figures leading this shift is a 77-year-old former teacher named Liudmyla. Last summer, she found herself speaking to a group of women in a tent, recounting her own traumatic experiences during the Russian occupation. “What I went through,” she shared, her voice shaking, “I was beaten, I was raped, but I am still living thanks to these people.”

Together with fellow survivors Tetyana, 61, and Alisa Kovalenko, 37, Liudmyla has initiated a series of community meetings focused on raising awareness about conflict-related sexual violence. These gatherings mark one of the first fearless attempts by victims to confront the pervasive issue of sexual assaults against Ukrainian women throughout the invasion.

In Ukraine, the alarming number of reported cases paints a concerning picture, with over 344 instances of conflict-related sexual violence being recorded since February 2022. Out of these, 220 victims are women, including 16 minors. Yet many survivors, particularly in Ukraine's conservative rural areas, remain hesitant to report their experiences due to the associated stigma, which deeply permeates Ukrainian society. Notably, while Liudmyla and Tetyana chose to maintain anonymity for their privacy, Ms. Kovalenko has been more outspoken regarding her assault from a previous conflict in 2014 against Russian-backed separatists.

As these courageous women step forward, they embody an essential step toward healing and change, breaking cycles of silence that have long existed.