Sexual Violence in the Ukraine War
Sexual Violence in the Ukraine War. 1. Introduction Sexual violence during war is not a new phenomenon. Historically, it has been wielded as a tool of terror, humiliation, and domination. In the Russia-Ukraine war, which erupted in February 2022, sexual violence has become a grim hallmark of the humanitarian crisis. Women, men, and even children have been subjected to acts of brutality, many of which constitute war crimes under international law. This report delves into the scale, nature, and implications of sexual violence in the Ukraine war. It assesses the documentation efforts, survivor testimonies, patterns of abuse, national and international legal responses, and the broader socio-political implications. While official statistics provide one angle, the true magnitude of the problem can only be approximated due to severe underreporting. --- 2. Historical Context and the Nature of Conflict The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked the beginning of one of the most brutal E...