Kateryna Levchenko: Figures on CRSV victims cited by organizations are only the tip of the iceberg

The actual number of Ukrainians affected by conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) may be significantly higher than reported by various authorities and organizations. This is evidenced by the volume of requests received by the Project for Urgent Interim Reparations for CRSV Survivors.

This was emphasized by Kateryna Levchenko, the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy, during a discussion at the Media Center Ukraine.

“There are figures (on the number of CRSV survivors –  ed.) that the Prosecutor General’s office has, and we have figures from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission. But we also have data from the pilot Project for Urgent Interim Reparations for CRSV Survivors, which is being implemented in close cooperation with the government, the Office of the Ombudsman, civil society organizations, survivors themselves, and international bodies, including UN structures. As of today, December 9, we have received 576 requests within this project. This is 250 more cases than confirmed by the Prosecutor General’s office. Compensation has been granted to 359 people, including 193 men, 163 women, one boy and two girls,” she said.

Kateryna Levchenko emphasized that the discrepancy in the data reflects the fact that survivors often avoid contacting law enforcement but are willing to seek assistance. At the same time, she noted that, despite the available figures, estimates suggest a much higher level of CRSV perpetrated by the aggressor.

“This is not about the Prosecutor General’s Office failing to record all crimes, but about survivors not always wanting to go to the law enforcement, even though they are willing to seek help. This project is crucial to show that the numbers given by any organization are just the tip of the iceberg. It also serves as an argument for the UN and António Guterres that we do not yet know the true number of victims, but the estimates clearly indicate the widespread use of sexual violence,” Levchenko added.

As a reminder, Ukrainian survivors of CRSV prepared an open letter to UN Secretary General António Guterres urging him to put russia on the UN’s List of Shame.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news