In an interview with hromadske, Ekaterina Cherepakha, president of the public organization "La Strada - Ukraine," shared, “It’s hardest when you can’t help. Or when it’s already too late.” Why violence against women is on the rise in Ukraine.
Last year, this hotline received around 40,000 calls. 91% of these were related to domestic violence. In the first nine months of this year, nearly 33,000 calls were made, primarily from women.
“When the numbers remain so high, despite millions of women with children having left, it indicates that this is indeed a problem that requires attention and action,” says Ekaterina Cherepakha.
The most common type of reported violence is psychological abuse, which is present in almost every situation. Physical violence ranks second. However, as the president of the organization notes, the difference between them is not significant, with “a minor percentage” separating the two.
There are significantly fewer reports of economic violence, and the lowest percentage pertains to sexual violence. This is not because “it’s hard to talk about. It’s a very sensitive topic. And sexual violence as a form of domestic violence is even less frequently discussed.”
“Many do not identify marital rape at all: ‘Well, it’s a spousal duty,’ and all that. But in reality, even if there is a stamp in the passport, it is still sexual violence,” shares the public figure.
According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, the number of registered cases of domestic violence in Ukraine has increased by nearly 80% compared to last year. As of October, there have been 8,185 recorded criminal offenses of this nature.
Ekaterina Cherepakha explains that the figures released by the Prosecutor General’s Office primarily reflect criminal proceedings. However, these statistics also indicate an improvement in identification and response.
“We are objectively observing an increase in domestic violence. Specifically, there is a rise in such reports within families of military personnel or veterans. Although part of it is still kept silent. Often, the thought arises: ‘How can I report this, he is protecting...’. Or, conversely, women are told: ‘How can you be ashamed: he is protecting you, and you are complaining.’ There are many factors,” she adds.
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