Legal experts record 64 cases of sexual violence by Russian military in Kherson region

“A special mobile group, which has already visited the region twice, is engaged in verifying these facts in Kherson region. The group has on its board prosecutors, police officers, psychologists, and Global Rights Compliance experts. During December 7-11, the team visited liberated settlements where they documented cases of crimes committed by the Russian forces. The previous deployment was in October,” the statement reads.

Group members communicate directly with the locals. They tell what exactly applies to war-related sexual violence and why it is important not to keep such cases under the rug. They explain what help victims can get and how will their personal data be protected. “Unfortunately, cases of sexual violence during the occupation are not isolated,” said Oleksandr Kleschenko, the prosecutor with the profile department of the Office.

Forcible undressing, rape, and tasing applied to genitals are among the most common facts of the SNPK.

“Our main task is to reveal the facts of sexual violence committed by the Russian military. We receive such information as we communicate with the population, community chiefs, and local medics. It is helpful to have female members and psychologists in the mobile group,” commented Andrii Khursa, deputy head of the department for preventive work and chief of the department of precinct police officers of the Kherson Region Main Police Department

According to Vasyl Humeniuk, the head of the Kyiv Regional Center for Social and Psychological Assistance, psychologist with the Asisto project (Andreiyev Family Foundation), the main task of psychologists in the group is to help victims deal with the traumatic experience.

“For the most part, the victims are open. Their motivation in conveying to the general public information about torture is noticeable. However, there is a protective reaction in the form of rejection of their traumatic experience and ignoring the need to receive long-term psychological help,” Humeniuk noted.

The mobile team was accompanied by experts from Global Rights Compliance – an organization specializing in international humanitarian law, criminal law, and protection of people’s rights in conflict zones around the world. Experts apply their experience to implement best practices, in the center of which is helping victims of conflict-related sexual violence.

As reported, the Office of the Prosecutor General confirmed 154 cases of conflict-related sexual violence. Six Russian soldiers have already been charged. Two indictments have been forwarded to court, and one Russian serviceman has been convicted.

Photo: Office of the Prosecutor General