Sexual Violence as a Weapon in Ukraine
Author: Francesca Froggatt, CGP Volunteer
As Russian forces pulled back from Kyiv, the horrifying accounts of rape and sexual violence being committed against Ukrainian women began to multiply.
One of the first reports was that of a Ukrainian woman who was raped in her home by two Russian soldiers as her husband lay dead and her young son hid in the boiler room. Sexual violence and rape in conflict is recognised by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a war crime and a crime against humanity. However, leading reporters in the field have suggested that in the ICC's 20 years of existence, it has made just one successful conviction for war rape.
This culture of impunity means that sexual violence continues to be used as a weapon of war to devastate victims, terrorise communities, tear apart families, and, in some cases, alter the genetic make-up of a population. Of course, it is women and girls who suffer the most as a result of this hideous crime.
Last November, the UK Foreign Secretary launched a global campaign to bring an end to sexual violence in conflict and declared that this war crime should be viewed as a ‘red line’ akin to using chemical weapons. The conflict in Ukraine has put the UK Government’s commitment to preventing sexual violence in conflict to the test.
The UK has led efforts to bring together allies to expedite an ICC investigation into Russian war crimes in Ukraine and recently announced an additional £1 million in funding for the body. The UK will also be providing military, policing and financial support to help to uncover evidence. The Government has announced a £10 million civil society fund to support inspiring organisations in Ukraine, including those helping victims of conflict-related sexual violence.
There are calls from some to set up a new international body to prevent sexual violence in conflict. But the Government has been clear that they will focus their efforts on bringing forward prosecutions for these crimes through the ICC.
This November, the UK is set to host an international conference on preventing sexual violence in conflict. As we build up to this, the UK Government must do all it can to ensure those who use rape as a weapon of war in Ukraine will be brought to justice.
If Britain is to be a force for good in the world, preventing sexual violence in conflict must be a cause that the Government continues to champion on the international stage.
