In Chernihiv OVA, with the participation of representatives of the authorities and the public, a presentation of methodological recommendations on the treatment of victims of sexual violence as a result of military aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine during stabilization measures and investigative actions took place.
The recommendations are one of the first professional publications in Ukraine that provide answers to a number of important questions, the understanding of which helps to ensure effective counteraction to the challenges faced by Ukrainians and Ukrainians since 2014 - from the beginning of Russia's war against Ukraine.
The presented guidelines not only raise the awareness of specialized specialists, including representatives of law enforcement agencies, regarding the proper response to cases of conflict-related sexual violence, but also provide comprehensive information on the mechanisms for responding to these war crimes. In addition, the developed materials have high practical value, based on the personal experience of the authors documenting such crimes since the beginning of Russian aggression.
The booklet contains links to useful resources, as well as information on contacts of public organizations and initiatives at the national and local levels that provide assistance to victims. According to the Chernihiv regional prosecutor's office, cases of sexual violence during the active phase of hostilities, which lasted in the region from late February to early April 2022, continue to be recorded until now. Currently, six criminal proceedings are being investigated. By the way, the first sentence in Ukraine against a serviceman of the Russian Federation involved in sexual violence, adopted in Chernihiv.
The presentation for Chernihiv, Khmelnytsky and Rivne regions took place in a mixed format within the framework of the project "Let's Stand Together: improving the support system for victims of war-related sexual violence, "which is carried out by the Ukrainian Women's Fund/Ukrainian Women's Fund in partnership with the NGO" 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 Government Commissioner for Gender Policy and funded by the European Union.