As of July 2025, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has documented 368 reports from women regarding acts of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). Against the backdrop of testimonies emerging after the de-occupation of Ukrainian cities and after russian captivity, the true numbers may be significantly higher.
Women are daring to speak about experienced sexual violence in the public space indirectly — on social media, anonymously, between the lines. For that reason, foundations providing psychological assistance in the area of CRSV need to monitor this space using specialized digital tools to see the real scale of need.
Using the YouScan platform, we analyzed the language women use in public spaces when describing their wartime experiences. And those words are not about an absence of need for help — they reflect a choice when they entrust their traumatic experience to professionals who can help rather than choose to forget.
Seeking a psychologist is not a weakness — it is the norm
YouScan analytics revealed over 6 million online mentions of wartime assistance, compared to fewer than 1,000 queries about psychological support following sexual violence. You can find more details on our Instagram.
This points to a cultural gap in seeking professional psychological help in the country. Prejudices such as "They won't understand me", "Others have it worse", and "It was her fault" are still deeply embedded in society. As a result, rather than turning to a psychologist, women more often look for ways to forget their traumatic experience — but forgetting is not the same as healing.
For us, this is a signal to keep speaking openly about sexual violence trauma in the public space, so that women understand: reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness — it is the norm. It also means shifting the paradigm of responsibility in society: the one who survived is not to blame — the perpetrator is.
GIDNA — a safe space where you are understood
This is why we are building a space where women are not afraid to speak. Working with the topic of CRSV, we understand that every woman who reaches out to the GIDNA project requires a sensitive approach — one grounded in respect and care for her lived experience. Thanks to feedback from participants who have already completed therapy and through recommendations from friends and loved ones, the number of applications is gradually increasing. Step by step, women are rebuilding trust in the world and in themselves, and developing inner foundations for life.
If you or someone close to you is looking for a safe space for psychological support, please reach out to the GIDNA project by completing the form on the website or by calling +38 050 722 89 13. Participation is anonymous and free of charge.
