Sexual violence in the conditions of war: a help algorithm

If possible, evacuate  

If a person is already in a zone of active hostilities or occupation or there is such a risk, it is very important to do everything to evacuate through the official "green corridors" of the Ukrainian authorities to safer territories. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. And it always hurts to leave your home, but rebuilding a home is easier than life. 

If you stay in a dangerous area

If people did not manage to evacuate in time and they are in an area where there are Russian occupiers, it is worth taking steps that will at least help reduce the risks. 

• Group. It is advisable not to be left alone. It makes sense to live with several families. This does not guarantee safety, but it is easier emotionally and can reduce the risks of rape.
• Try not to leave the shelter. Adhere to the mode of light masking, do not leave the house or shelter unless absolutely necessary, so as not to even catch the eyes of the occupiers. Unfortunately, there is still a risk that the occupiers will break into the residence or even the bomb shelter. However, every effort should be made to minimize any contact.
• Avoid receiving humanitarian aid from the occupiers. In particular, the occupation authorities. Unfortunately, sometimes there is no choice. But this is extremely dangerous from the point of view of collecting personal data, manipulation mechanisms. Therefore, if there is access to help from Ukrainian volunteers or international organizations, it is definitely worth using it. 
• "Clean" gadgets from personal information. Correspondence, photos, any personal and patriotic content should be deleted, because the Russian occupiers can check absolutely everything in your mobile phone.

If contact with the occupants is unavoidable

• Accept that the forces are not equal. Even if you grab a kitchen knife or an ax, unfortunately, they are powerless against a machine gun. So don't even try to grab anything, because that can make the occupiers even more angry.
• Force yourself to be as careful as possible. Try to be tactful, avoid pressure and insults (no matter how difficult it is to hold back). 
• If possible, you should minimize the provision of information about yourself. However, if the occupiers demand to hand over the phone, show the house, and answer questions, there is no need to object. It's unpleasant, it's a gross violation of personal space. But when a soldier with a weapon is against a civilian, you will have to endure it in order to save life. 

If rape cannot be avoided 

In this case: 

• Do not try to scare off the offender with fiction. For example, about AIDS or pregnancy, if it is not true. This will increase the risk that the occupier will decide to commit murder instead of rape.
• "Freeze" yourself. If the rape is already taking place, the perpetrator temporarily takes control of the person's body thanks to the weapon, which is power by default. It is extremely painful. But no invader can master and break the spirit. It is difficult with the body and emotions, but you can work, you can help yourself and stabilize. The main thing is to save life, at any cost.
• If possible, record the crime. It is very dangerous to do this during a rape (for example, turn on a video or audio recording). However, if possible, you can photograph the damage, save the clothes, and describe the crime after the perpetrators have left. It is dangerous to keep such evidence on the phone in areas controlled by the occupiers. Therefore, you should immediately send the information to the Office of the Prosecutor General (and later delete it from your phone): 

• by phone 0 800 507 001
• by phone 096 755 02 40 (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal) 
• through the site https://www.warcrimes.gov.ua/  
• via Telegram bots: @stop_russian_war_bot or @war_crime_bot
• by e-mail conflict2022.ua@gmail.com

• Contact a medical facility (if possible). To receive medical assistance, drugs to prevent unwanted pregnancy and venereal diseases, undergo a forensic examination.

If you are abroad 

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, millions of Ukrainians have gone abroad, the vast majority are women and children. Dozens of countries from all over the world provide shelter to our people, and we are infinitely grateful to each and every one of them for their support. However, unfortunately, there are people who can take advantage of the vulnerable state of Ukrainian women. 

Human trafficking as a "business" is second only to drug and arms trafficking in terms of profitability. Therefore, there are risks when crossing the border, in particular, being affected by human trafficking, labor or sexual exploitation. Therefore, it is worth protecting yourself in this situation as well. 

• Recruiters work on both sides of the border. That is, criminals can look for potential victims both on the territory of Ukraine and in the country of arrival.
• If possible, join the group. Women who cross the border alone, as a couple or with children are primarily in the risk group.  
• Do not give your documents to anyone except border guards. We are aware of cases when carriers in the border regions of Ukraine offer women traveling alone a place in a car to cross the border. Payment is usually not required, but they offer to give the passport "for convenience" - they say, to show all documents at the border at once and not waste time. It is better to refuse such offers, not to risk your safety. And if you still risk it, at least ask the person to show your document, take a photo of the license plates and send the data to your relatives and friends. If the carrier is against it, again, we strongly advise against using its services. 
• Get help from trusted sources. Recruiters can either avoid giving information or be well-prepared and tell "legends" that they are volunteers, even show fake IDs. They can have a personal car or a whole bus supposedly for transfer. Therefore, both in Ukraine and abroad, you should seek help from volunteer centers that work officially. To do this, find the contacts of verified volunteers in advance, ask clarifying questions, check the websites of volunteer organizations, contact representatives of the state authorities of the country to which you are evacuating.
• Have contacts of the embassy of Ukraine in the country of arrival. They actively work and help Ukrainian men and women, so you should contact them in any risky situation. 
• Remember number 112 - a telephone number for calling emergency services in European countries and some others, where you can get help from specialists in different languages, including Ukrainian or Russian. 
• Clarify information about the shelter. Especially if you are looking for it yourself, and not through the state authorities (although it is safer through the state authorities). It may seem that it is inconvenient to clarify the information - after all, so many people sincerely want to help, and such are really the majority. However, there should be no compromises in security matters. It is worth learning more about a person who is ready to provide shelter, look at documents or at least pages in social networks. Find out who are the members of the family with whom you are offered to live, where and under what conditions.   
• Register in the country of arrival. Don't avoid it. Official status is very important for security abroad. You can get refugee status or temporary protection. The second option is usually more appropriate because it allows you to move to other European countries or return to Ukraine at any time.