Today, 22 May, marked another meeting of the United for Justice Conference in Kyiv, initiated by the CRSV Division of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. Representatives of the Ukrainian government, heads of law enforcement agencies, judicial administration, foreign experts and non-governmental organisations discussed cooperative efforts based in survivor-centred practices to address conflict-related sexual and gender-based crimes.
Conflict-related sexual violence is a devastating crime that inflicts immeasurable physical, psychological, and emotional harm on its victims. It is a brutal tactic employed in times of war and conflict to undermine and subjugate communities, and is employed in different ways against individuals of all genders and ages. The people of Ukraine have not been spared from this heinous crime, as the ongoing conflict has witnessed a significant increase in incidents of sexual violence.
To effectively combat this violence, the efforts of all stakeholders must be united, as discussed today. By pooling our resources, sharing knowledge, and working collaboratively, we can address these crimes in a way that best upholds the rights of the survivors. Many of the relevant ideas were brought up during the Strategic Session on CRSV held earlier this month. Today, Anna Mykytenko, GRC’s Senior Legal Adviser and Ukraine Country Manager, summarised these earlier inter-organisational discussions to establish priorities for cooperation.
First and foremost, we must prioritize the safety and well-being of survivors. We must create safe spaces for survivors to come forward, share their experiences, and receive support. This includes providing access to medical care, psychosocial support, legal aid, and other essential services, as well as ensuring we are not duplicating efforts and causing survivors to share their story beyond what is required to provide them with these supports. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure the confidentiality of survivors, respecting their privacy and protecting them from retribution or stigmatisation.
When it comes to implementing best practices for addressing CRSV, “Ukraine is leading the way,” said GRC co-founder Wayne Jordash KC, remarking on the significant steps already taken by the Ukrainian OPG.
Addressing conflict-related sexual violence in Ukraine, as anywhere, requires strong cooperation. By working together, we can implement the best practices for addressing these crimes, thereby better ensuring justice, support, and healing for the survivors, both at the individual and global levels. GRC remains committed to cooperating with and learning from a broad coalition of actors working to deliver justice in Ukraine.