Ukrainian president’s wife has asked world leaders to give a ‘total response’ – ‘Sexual violence is the cruelest and most brutal form of coercion’
The First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska told a conference in London today that “violence and sexual crimes” are part of Russia’s “arsenal” to “humiliate Ukrainians”, calling for a “comprehensive response” from world leaders.
Since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24, “the opportunities of the occupiers to humiliate Ukrainians have multiplied, and unfortunately sexual violence and sexual crimes are part of their arsenal,” Zelenska said.
Russia uses sexual violence ‘systematically and openly’he added.
“For this reason it is extremely important to recognize this as a war crime in order to prosecute all the perpetrators,” he said, pushing for a “total response” at a conference organized in London against sexual violence in war.
“Honestly, I hope there will be a response from all over the world to everything that is happening in Ukraine right now.”
The “initiative to combat sexual violence in wars” is being organized today and tomorrow in London by the British government with representatives from all over the world.
On Friday, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley, visiting the Kyivannounced new aid and “vital support for survivors of sexual assaults perpetrated by the Russian military.”
For Olena Zelenska, sexual violence is “the cruelest, most brutal way of proving dominance.”
“Everyone knows there are a lot of rapes” committed by the Russian military in Ukraine, but according to Zelenska, victims are speaking out even less than usual because of the war, for fear that their attackers will return and rape them again .
“Right now, the prosecutor’s office is investigating more than 100” cases of suspected sex crimes, the Ukrainian president’s wife said, recalling that the first case that led to a prosecution was that of a woman who was raped by soldiers who had just killed her husband .
The government has created a psychological support center to help victims of the war, Zelenska concluded.
RES-EMP
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
