Long-Term Effects of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
Executive Summary
Ukraine’s long-term recovery from Russia’s invasion must center around justice for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). Sexual violence has been systematically used as a weapon of war since 2014, escalating sharply after the full-scale invasion in 2022. Despite progress in legal and institutional reforms, such as the establishment of a Specialized CRSV Division within the Office of the Prosecutor General and the adoption of Law No. 10132 recognizing survivors’ rights, systemic barriers persist. Survivors continue to face stigma, fragmented services, limited legal aid, and inadequate psychosocial support. This report calls for a survivor-centered, multisectoral approach to CRSV accountability and recovery as a cornerstone of Ukraine’s national reconstruction. Key recommendations include adopting a binding instruction for law enforcement, ensuring specialized prosecutorial capacity, implementing interim reparations, securing long-term state funding, and expanding trauma-informed and inclusive survivor services. Addressing the long-term effects of CRSV is essential not only for achieving justice and recovery for survivors but also for building a more resilient, equitable, and democratic postwar Ukraine.
Introduction
Efforts to address the psychological, social, and economic impact of CRSV and survivor well-being must be integrated into national recovery frameworks alongside physical and economic reconstruction efforts. Sexual violence is systematically used in armed conflicts as a method of domination, humiliation, and destruction of individuals and communities. In Ukraine, sexual violence and torture have been consistently documented since the onset of the armed conflict in 2014. However, Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 has significantly escalated both the frequency and severity of CRSV incidents across the country. The full scope of these crimes remains difficult to determine because law enforcement representatives have limited or no access to occupied territories, and many survivors of CRSV hesitate to engage with the justice system, doubting its value.
Policy Recommendations
- Adopt a binding Instruction on CRSV for law enforcement. The OPG should finalize the process of adoption and issue the Instruction, initially developed with international partners in 2022, to provide mandatory, standardized guidelines for all law enforcement actors engaging with CRSV survivors. Its adoption would ensure consistency, accountability, and survivor-centered practice across the justice chain, preventing further fragmentation.
- Guarantee specialized prosecutorial capacity. Ukraine must secure a minimum number of prosecutors dedicated exclusively to CRSV cases, with transparent public reporting on staffing levels and caseloads. To protect institutional knowledge and expertise, these prosecutors should receive continuous professional development, mitigating the risks posed by staff reassignments and restructuring.
- Fully implement the Interim Reparations Law (Law No. 10132), including bylaws and operational procedures. To operationalize survivors’ rights under the law, Ukraine must urgently adopt implementing regulations, designate responsible agencies, and allocate budget lines for the disbursement of interim reparations. Without enforcement mechanisms, the law risks becoming symbolic rather than functional.
- Establish a centralized “one-stop shop” for CRSV survivors across government and NGO providers to access information, services, and entitlements. Establish a physical and digital hub adhering to the principle of confidentiality where survivors can obtain clear, up-to-date information about available services, their rights, and the steps required to access support—whether legal aid, mental health, relocation assistance, or reparations—without needing to navigate fragmented systems. This hub should also track application progress and provide case management support. Inspired by the Victim and Witness Coordination Centre (VWCC) and GBV referral pathways by UNFPA, this system would streamline referrals and promote continuity of care. Government, civil society, and international partners must collaborate under a common platform for data sharing, referral tracking, and geographic service mapping. This ensures accountability, avoids duplication, and strengthens coverage.
- Train and deploy trauma-informed social workers, with tailored modules for diverse survivors. Specialized training should include modules on responding to CRSV among men, LGBTQ+ individuals, former POWs, and children born of rape. These groups often face additional barriers and are underrepresented in survivor outreach.
- Allocate stable and dedicated funding in the national budget for survivor support. Shift from dependency on international donor cycles to sustainable state-backed funding, particularly for mental health services, housing, reintegration, and legal aid.
- Launch a national public awareness campaign to combat stigma and promote survivor dignity. Design and implement long-term public messaging efforts, especially in conservative communities, engaging religious leaders, educators, and local influencers. Messaging should address myths, promote support-seeking, and reinforce community responsibility.
- Scale up socio-economic reintegration and relocation programs tailored to all survivors. Develop programs (e.g., entrepreneurship support, relocation grants, education access) not only for women but also for male survivors, POWs, and those unable to return home. This should be embedded in Ukraine’s national recovery plans and linked to housing and employment initiatives.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not an official policy or position of New Lines Institute.
