On June 19, the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Ukraine’s Ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, stated that Russia uses sexual violence as an instrument of terror, intimidation, and humiliation of people. Hundreds of Ukrainians have experienced this crime, the consequences of which remain with them for the rest of their lives.
At the same time, victims often face not only the trauma they have experienced but also difficulties in receiving assistance and protection. Among them are women and men, civilians and military personnel. Therefore, the right to support must be real and accessible to everyone.
– Lubinets.
The law on the protection of persons who have suffered from sexual violence related to conflict came into force in June 2025. Due to the lack of necessary bylaws, its norms still do not work in practice, and people cannot use the support guaranteed by the state.
According to Lubinets, he has repeatedly emphasized the need to adopt the relevant regulatory acts as soon as possible. He raised this issue in his annual reports for 2024 and 2025.
The Ombudsman called the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence a day of solidarity with the victims and a reminder that the rights guaranteed by law must work in life, not on paper.
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