War which does not let go. Campaign to end violence against women of ATO participants goes on

Is violence in the families of ATO participants a taboo topic or a problem we should speak loudly of? It is inconvenient problem for the state so far.

This is stressed by Iryna Vyrtosu, the coordinator of information campaign to end violence against women of ATO participants “War which does not let go.”

Thus, according to statistics, 25,929 reports on domestic violence were registered in Ukraine for three months of this year. However, nothing is known about the cases of violence in the families of ATO participants. “Separate statistics are not maintained,” the Ukrainian Social Policy Ministry explained in response to the information inquiry of the campaign coordinator.

Nowadays, the problem of violence against women in the families of ATO participants is being discussed only in expert circles and at the meetings of representatives of non-governmental organizations working with victims of violence. However, the media cover only isolated incidents, often in form of sensational stories which remain unanswered: what victims of violence should do, where they should address, how they should protect themselves and their children, how to help loved ones to return a “human face” and others.

“The topic of ‘domestic violence’ in the families of ATO participants is rather delicate. Ukrainian media outlets are speaking carefully about it, balancing between heroism and conviction. A common position of how to write about this is just being formed. No wonder. There is too little information and the available information is too sensitive. Violence in the families of ATO participants is not “something special”, but is particularly hushed up,” Iryna Vyrtosu comments.

Information campaign “The war which does not let go” aims to bring out of the shadow the problem of violence against women of ATO participants, to cover it in the media and to intensify public debate with the participation of experts of women’s organizations, public authorities, psychologists, victims of violence.

“Our goal is not blame the servicemen, but, first and foremost, to inform women about the existing problem, why they should not be silent and how they should act. We also aim to attract the attention of other men and women citizens who witness violence. We strive to bring out of the shadow the problem of domestic violence in the families of ATO participants so that it would be discussed not only during private expert meetings and “in the kitchen”, but in the media, public spaces, schools as well,” campaign coordinator Iryna Vyrtosu says.

Information campaign “The war which does not let go” is held by the Human Rights Information Centre with the support of the International Charitable Foundation “Ukrainian Women’s Fund.” The campaign provides for meetings with the servicemen, preparation of articles for Ukrainian media and women’s magazines in particular, touching upon the issue of domestic violence in the families of ATO participants in the meetings with representatives of public authorities.