422 people applied for reparations for sexual violence by occupiers

A total of 422 people have applied for reparations under the project for urgent interim reparations to victims of sexual violence resulting from Russian aggression. Notably, 52% of the applicants are men.

This information was shared by Kateryna Levchenko, Government Commissioner for Gender Policy, on Hromadske Radio.

Levchenko reminded listeners that Ukraine has initiated a pilot project aimed at providing immediate reparations to victims of sexual violence linked to Russian aggression against Ukraine. It specifically targets cases where the violence was committed by Russian military forces.

The project is designed to support individuals who have suffered war crimes at the hands of Russian soldiers. When the initiative was launched earlier this year, it was expected to assist 500 victims.

«The project is ongoing, and things are progressing quickly. As of 25 September, we have received 422 applications. Of these, 218 were from men, 194 from women, and the remaining applications were submitted on behalf of boys and girls. Looking at the statistics, 52% of the victims are men, 46% are women, and 2% are boys and girls», — Levchenko explained.

The Government Commissioner for Gender Policy emphasized that sexual violence against Ukrainian citizens is committed with deliberate intent. These crimes are not just isolated actions by individual soldiers but are endorsed by the Russian political leadership.

Moreover, the statistics suggest that gender is not the primary reason behind these acts of sexual violence, as both men and women are equally affected.

As a reminder, the Pilot Project to provide immediate reparations to victims of sexual violence related to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine was launched in early March.

Under this Pilot Project, 500 victims of sexual violence will receive interim compensation of €3,000.

The project is being implemented by the Global Fund for Survivors of Violence.