Ukrainians who endured sexual violence by Russian invaders to receive reparations

According to Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro–Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine plans to provide immediate temporary compensation, in the form of a one-time monetary aid, to those whom the Russian occupiers sexually abused. The amount of compensation will be 3,000 euros. The initial stage of the project will begin on April 15 and continue until the end of October this year.

She spoke about this during the conference "Restoring the rights of victims of conflict-related sexual violence: an element of peace and global security," Rubryka reports.

"Together with the Global Fund for Survivors of Violence and the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality, we initiated the development and implementation of a pilot project of urgent interim reparations for victims of sexual violence during the war.

We have developed a system for forming such reparations, which provides for the identification of victims, the identification of cases, the adoption of decisions on compliance with the criteria, and the payment of interim compensations. We are forming a very serious basis for the further restoration of justice," said Stefanishyna.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that justice should not have time limits, and survivors need support now, not after the end of the war.

Therefore, within the framework of the first phase of this project, one-time interim compensation will be provided to the victims.

"On February 29, we officially started this project and held the first meetings. From March 1 to March 31, 40 victims will undergo the procedures necessary to receive the appropriate statuses and the first interim reparations," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

^{Photo: Telegram / Zelenska}

For the implementation of this project, a supervisory board was created, whose duties are the review and approval of documents, as well as the formation of statistical information on confirmed cases of sexual violence during the war.

Government officials and human rights advocates are collaborating on an interim reparations project with the Office of the Attorney General, which investigates these crimes, and the Ministry of Justice, establishing a database of damages.

Olena Zelenska also supported the initiative.

"Recovery requires resources. This applies both to the country and to individuals. Victims of sexual violence during the war cannot wait for "classical" reparations when the war ends or when Russia agrees to pay reparations. We need to act immediately," the first lady said.

She noted that more and more victims dare to speak about the violence they experienced.

As of March 4, the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine is already conducting 274 cases of sexual violence committed by the Russian occupiers.

However, there are many more victims.

Reparations are economic support for them and a step towards restoring justice, explained the first lady.

"Until an international compensation mechanism is created and Russia's confiscated assets are not aimed at supporting Ukraine, appropriate assistance from partner countries is critical to us," Zelenska added.

As reported, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Olha Stefanishyna, together with the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine (UNFPA), launched an information campaign to draw public attention to the problem and activities of Rescue Centers.

Rubryka also wrote about where to turn for help to victims of violence during the war, including sexual violence.