From condemnation to support: the project's mission and the fight against stereotypes of the SNPK

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) — a crime that perpetrators deliberately use as a weapon to humiliate human dignity.

But the most difficult ordeal for a person often begins after they have survived. Survivors face a wall of social stigma, fear of disbelief, and stereotypes.

To break this perception and change approaches in the justice system, a civil society organization "La Strada-Ukraine" launched a special video podcast as part of the project "Stigma"».

Why stigma arises: the experience of the NGO "La Strada-Ukraine"

The topic of stigmatization grew out of many years of practical work by a public organization with people who have survived violence.As noted by the human rights activist and president of the NGO "La Strada-Ukraine" Maryna Legenka, this experience showed how difficult even the very first step is - to dare to talk about what you have experienced.

In the context of conflict-related sexual violence, this is an even more complex and stigmatized topic. Added to this are many specific circumstances: being in a temporarily occupied territory, danger, fear for loved ones, and the extreme shame of telling what happened to a person. But the most important aspect is the fear of how you will be perceived after telling this story: will they believe you, will they keep it confidential, will they start looking for your guilt?, — emphasizes Maryna Legenka.

It is these fears that force people to remain alone with their pain and block their access to justice and medical or psychological help.

What is the main mission of the project?

The mission of the video podcast and the entire communication campaign is not just to highlight the problem, but transform the justice system and public consciousness.

The project focuses on removing biases among investigators, prosecutors, judges, and professionals who are the first to come into contact with victims. The crime is committed by the perpetrator, so the shame and guilt should rest solely with the attacker, not the person who was victimized.

According to Marina Legenko, the goal of the project is very clear and specific:

So that any person who, unfortunately, has experienced, suffered, or survived conflict-related sexual violence can absolutely freely seek any help, any support they need, and receive a professional attitude and response depending on their needs and requests.

Support Formula: “Recognize. Support. Counteract”

Changes are not possible only at the level of laws - they start with each of us. Each episode of the podcast features the project's key slogan, which includes three simple but profound practical actions:

• Admit it. — acknowledging the violence experienced by a person without minimizing, doubting, or comparing the severity of the trauma.

   

• Support — the ability to listen without judgment and make the person feel that what happened is not their fault.

   

• Countermeasure — active response to any manifestations of stigmatization, stereotypes, victim-blaming or inappropriate jokes in everyday life, media and professional environments.

   

What will the next episodes of the podcast be about?

As part of the podcast series, hosts and invited experts — human rights activists, lawyers, psychologists, representatives of government agencies and the media — will examine the topic of the SNPK from various perspectives.

Watch episodes of the video podcast on our official YouTube channel and join in shaping a society where respect and dignity come first..

🤝 Where can I get free and confidential help right now?

If you or your loved ones need legal or psychological support, please contact to the National Hotline for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking and Gender Discrimination:

116 123 

0 800 500 335 

Telegram: NHL116123_bot 

Instagram: lastradaukraine 

Facebook: lastradaukraine

The material was prepared as part of the implementation of the project "Countering Stigma and Stereotypes: Access to Justice for Victims of Sexual Violence in Ukraine" by the NGO "La Strada-Ukraine", with financial support from Synergy of Justice within the framework of the program "Stigma in the Justice System".

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