Victims of sexual violence linked to russian aggression to receive urgent reparations

The Government has approved a mechanism for emergency reparations for victims of sexual violence linked to russian aggression. A one-off payment of EUR 3,000 is provided for. This was announced by the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Svyrydenko.

According to the Head of Government, children born as a result of this crime will also be entitled to such support. Funding shall be ensured through contributions from international partners and donors. Receiving this payment will not affect a person’s right to receive benefits or other forms of state assistance.

A special commission will be set up under the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity to consider applications. The entire process is designed to ensure confidentiality, respect for human dignity and to avoid re-traumatisation.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Office of the Prosecutor General has recorded 398 cases of war-related sexual violence — 248 involving women and 150 involving men. However, human rights activists estimate that the actual number of cases may be higher, as victims often remain silent about these crimes due to the risk of condemnation and stigma.

“russia is using sexual violence as yet another weapon against our people. This is a grave war crime. Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, symbolised by the rapeseed flower. This is yet another opportunity to draw attention to this issue, but we must talk about it every day,” emphasised Yulia Svyrydenko.

The Prime Minister stressed that the state would exert every effort to ensure that russia is held to account and that citizens who had suffered as a result of these crimes received full reparations.