Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the country has faced not only military devastation but also a rising tide of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). As the war enters in its fourth year, Ukraine is confronting both the scale of these crimes and the legal challenges of holding perpetrators accountable.
In their new article for Just Security, Julia Tétrault-Provencher (GRC Legal Adviser) and Hoar Habrelian (Ukrainian Lawyer specialised in international law and former GRC Legal Adviser) explore the evolving prosecutorial landscape in Ukraine and the urgent need for justice systems that respond to survivors’ needs while ensuring accountability. They highlight that, although hundreds of cases have been registered, the reality is that the true scale of SGBV far exceeds these numbers, and survivors’ needs and choices must guide justice processes.
The authors examine legal reforms in Ukraine — including ratification of the Istanbul Convention — and the tension between pursuing formal prosecutions and respecting survivors’ wishes not to participate. They stress the importance of proactive evidence gathering, trauma-informed approaches, and a broader understanding of SGBV as part of a deliberate strategy of war.
Ultimately, the article argues that justice in Ukraine must go beyond convictions. It must include holistic support, recognition, reparations, and the ability for survivors to choose their path. For Ukraine, this is not only about addressing individual harm but about laying the foundation for national recovery.
Read the full article on Just Security here.
Читати українською тут.