Women at risk of sexual violence ‘inherent wartime practices’

More than two million Ukrainians have fled their country since the Russian invasion. A constant stream of refugees crosses the borders in the hope of escaping the war. While men between the ages of 18 and 60 are no longer allowed to leave the country and are forced to take up arms, many women and young girls are forced to cross the border alone. For them, in the midst of bombing and fighting, a more insidious danger slips through: sexual violence.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the non-governmental organization CARE warns of the dramatic situations of these women and the risks of exploitation and abuse that come with it. Ninja Taprogge works for the NGO CARE. She spent three days on the border between Poland and Ukraine, then several days in refugee reception centers. “We have seen many women with children and young girls traveling alone (or) women who are very vulnerable in such situations,” emphasizes the representative of the international association.

In the event of conflict, “women become even more vulnerable”

At the same time, Council of Europe Secretary General Maria Pejčinović Burić on Monday called for increased attention to women and girls who, “trying to avoid conflict, become even more vulnerable, they are threatened with violence, sexual assault and rape. “. The risk, unfortunately, is common to all conflicts, but which in the Ukrainian situation, when men are called to fight to defend their country, is even more significant.

“I visited a reception center that had 2,000 beds. Everyone huddled together, there was no safe place for women. They cannot go unnoticed,” explains Ninja Taprogge.

“Hotbed of exploiters of man”

The ambiguity that protects women from attack is seldom addressed as a matter of urgency. “War crystallizes the realities that we see in peacetime, the protection of women is not the first thing we think about,” emphasizes Elodie Jonoud, a historian specializing in particular on issues related to war and gender equality.

Insecure and emergency refugee women are also more vulnerable to perpetrators. “Crowds of precarious populations are a breeding ground for human exploiters,” explains Elodie Jonoud, arguing that war is “a huge field of opportunity for worst practices.” These places, where “disorder and idleness of women are absolute,” are a “playroom” for evil people, the historian illustrates.

“Taking a car with a stranger is a risk”

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, many popular support initiatives have been implemented. Donations, volunteering, fundraising, etc. “I see a lot of good deeds of solidarity,” explains Ninja Taprogge. It does not eliminate risks. Refugees entering Poland are welcomed and waiting for buses to go to the reception center. They then stay there for a few days and then wait for new buses to leave for major Polish cities.

In this regard, Ninja Taprogge reports that many anonymous people offer to take refugees to the cities for free. “Yesterday I was talking to two sisters who are in their twenties. They arrived from Kharkov and stood in front of the reception center, where men with placards offered to take refugees to large cities. But taking a car with a stranger is a risk,” she notes.

Need to survive

“Most people are probably honest and benevolent, but some see it as an opportunity,” analyzes historian Elodie Jonot, who is “confident” that attacks will occur. Rape and sexual assault are “wartime behaviors,” she recalls. However, these phenomena are always analyzed with a time delay. In times of peace, women often denounce the rape they have experienced, and in times of war this trend is exacerbated. The need to survive, to protect your children, is imposed and crushes everything else.

The risks of rape and sexual assault are also high for those who remain in Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said cases of rape by Russian soldiers were registered in several cities across the country.

Unless these facts are proven, wartime sex crimes are common. “I wouldn’t be surprised if within three weeks or three months we find a mass phenomenon of army rapes,” sighs Elodie Jonot, citing historical examples, in particular the rape of French women by American soldiers during the “Liberation” or “Human Trafficking” in Libya.

“We need more and more support”

While waiting for an opportunity to understand a phenomenon that speaks for itself only in the long term, associations are trying to establish prevention at the borders. “We need more communication, information at the borders and at reception centers so that women are aware of the situation. When you’re running from a war, it’s not the first thing you think about, and that’s okay,” says Ninja Taprogge.

The NGO CARE is working to pass on these ideas to improve the reception of Ukrainian women. Especially as the violence of the conflict escalates: “At the borders, we see more and more exhausted people, shocked by what they see, who will need more and more support over the days, weeks and coming months. »