In Chernihiv, a training was held for journalists on covering sexual violence, conflict related (SNPK).
The event was made possible by the project "Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War: Prevent and Support. Updating the system of assistance to victims of SNPK in the information space of Chernihiv region, "implemented by the NGO" Association for Democratic Development "with the support of the Ukrainian Women's Fund.
During the training, public figure Lesya Steblo spoke about the types of SNPK, the norms of national and international legislation, and the formation of an assistance system. SNPK has no statute of limitations. You can document a crime regardless of when it happened. We talked about SNPK as a war crime for which punishment should come. After all, this violence is committed in order to break the will of a particular person, community or people, "said Iryna Sinelnyk, representative of the NGO Association for Democratic Development Iryna Synelnyk. The Criminal Code of Ukraine contains several articles related to sexual violence in peacetime. And SNPK refers to Article 438 of the Criminal Code (violation of laws and customs of war). Thus, shelling of civilians and sexual violence fall under the same qualification, which leads to changes in legislation.
In the Chernihiv region, 6 cases of SNPK were documented at the end of last year, in Ukraine - more than 250. Those numbers are questionable. Feride Rushiti, head of the Kosovo Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture, also said this during the online session. She noted that this is the tip of the iceberg, because the experience of other countries where there were modern wars indicates thousands of victims. In addition, according to Ms. Feride, Ukraine today can take into account international experience in order to avoid mistakes that others have made.
Freelance journalist Margarita Tulup shared her experience working with survivors, as well as advice on how to accurately cover this highly sensitive topic. Among her recommendations:
- assess your limits (to ensure you do not cause harm to the witness);
- think ahead, ensure safety;
- help the person regain lost control (allow them to choose the place and time of the meeting);
- set a time frame;
- listen actively;
- show empathy;
- find out in advance the contact information of organizations that provide assistance (this may be necessary). At the same time, do not make any promises. Don't confuse public activism with journalism;
The participants of the training noted that the information received is useful and will be needed for further professional activities.
The event was held by the NGO "Association for Democratic Development" - a grant holder of the Ukrainian Women's Fund/UWF within the framework of the project "Let's Stand Together. Improving the support system for victims of conflict-related sexual violence/SNPK, "which the UWF performs in partnership with the public organization" La Strada - Ukraine "and the Association of Women Lawyers of Ukraine" YurFem "with the support of the Office of the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and the Office of the Government Commissioner for gender policy issues and funded by the European Union.