Media professionals ask Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Denisova to change the rhetoric of reports on sexual violence

Open letter to Ukrainian Parliament

Commissioner for Human Rights

Liudmyla Denisova 

21/8 Instytutska Street, Kyiv-08, 01008

Regarding communication about sexual violence during the war

Dear Madam Commissioner,

We, Ukrainian women journalists and media professionals, are concerned and sometimes outraged by the rhetoric of reports on sexual violence during the war that are published on social media accounts of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.

Rape is strictly prohibited by Article 27 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949, so Russian war criminals must be punished. At the same time, reports on such crimes, especially committed against children and minors, should be published with caution.

Sexual violence during the war is a tragedy for families, a difficult and traumatic topic, not a subject for publications in the manner of a “scandal column”. We need to keep the goal in mind: to draw attention to the facts of crimes.

This information is spread in the media, sensitive words become clickable headlines, and public opinion leaders quote them in their blogs, during international cultural events organized to advocate for survivors, draw attention to the war in Ukraine and horrific crimes committed by Russians.

The media outlets respect official sources of information, such as you as an official and your Office. Therefore, any information disseminated on behalf of the Commissioner or her Office, in particular on social media accounts, is perceived by journalists as confirmed facts. In addition, it is usually impossible to verify the information related to the sexual violence committed by invaders in other sources. It is very important for this information to be really confirmed.

The official public communication about the children, who were sexually abused by the Russian military and then died, requires a forensic medical report. However, even if there is such, each word must be balanced and carefully selected.

The details of the crimes publicly disclosed draw public attention to the work of investigative bodies, the justice system; people demand investigations, trials, punishments.

Representatives of the law enforcement and judicial systems are limited by procedural prohibitions on sharing information about the progress of the investigation. Each case is carefully investigated, evidence is collected, and the personal data of survivors of sexual violence and witnesses are protected. Therefore, during your public communication, which is always in full public view, please indicate whether your Office submits files to investigators and prosecutors for further investigation.

When publicly communicating about sexual violence during the war (especially when children are affected), it is important to consider not only the ethical feasibility of the wording but also the justification and appropriateness of publishing certain details that may shock. For example, “Russians were raping a 6-month-old girl with a teaspoon”, “children were simultaneously raped orally and anally by two men” and “a nine-month-old daughter was raped with candlelight”.

It is crucial for the Commissioner, as an official, to take care of the rights and dignity of a survivor and his / her relatives. Therefore, it is crucial to adhere to ethical standards in the presentation of information, as the media continue to disseminate it in their own publications, preserving the original wording and publishing them for a wide audience.

Scoop, stigmatization, insinuations, and gore around human tragedies will not help us defeat the enemy and reveal the problem of sexual violence during the war.

We fear that the Ukrainian media may become just a platform for spreading “horrible details” about sexual violence during the war, instead of serving as a voice in support of gathering evidence in relevant criminal cases and fair punishment, and disseminating information about the services people, who experienced violence, may contact.

It is important to understand that sexual violence during the war is an instrument of genocide, an instrument of waging war without rules, but it cannot serve as illustrative material to induce the emotions of the audience.

We ask you, when providing information on sexual violence during the war, to:

1. Disclose only the information with sufficient evidence; check the facts before publication
2. Report on files you have submitted to the justice system
3. Check and analyze every word to avoid sensationalism in the reports
4. Avoid excessive detail of crimes
5. Use correct terminology, for example, use the word “survivors” or “affected” instead of “victims”
6. Take care of confidentiality and safety of survivors. Remember that survivors may be identified if they live in small towns or villages
7. Indicate support networks (lawyers, human rights activists, professional psychological care).
8. The tips “Sexual violence and the media. How to write about rape during the war” and the Recommendations of the Commission on Journalism Ethics on coverage of deaths during the war will also be of use 

The letter is open for signing. If you want to sign it, please contact femida.help@gmail.com (indicate your first name and last name, the organization you work for, or your profession / status).

 The letter was signed by women journalists and media professionals: 

1. Liza Kuzmenko, member of the Commission on Journalism Ethics, chair of NGO “Women in Media”
2. Yelyzaveta Sokurenko, journalist at Human Rights Centre ZMINA
3. Larysa Denysenko, writer, lawyer, human rights defender, radio presenter
4. Khrystyna Semeryn, researcher, journalist
5. Viktorya Yermolayeva, journalist at Hromadske Radio
6. Tetiana Pechonchyk, member of the Commission on Journalism Ethics, chair of Human Rights Centre ZMINA
7. Olena Horiacheva, journalist at SLM News LLC (ICTV and STB TV channels)
8. Zoya Krasovska, media expert
9. Yuliana Lozova, journalist
10. Tetiana Stroy, media expert, journalist
11. Oleksandra Horchynska, journalist at NV website
12. Natalia Holodiuk, director of Rayon.in.ua news agency
13. Tetiana Honchenko, freelance journalist
14. Yaroslava Tsybulska, children’s rights activist
15. Khrystyna Horobets, journalist
16. Viktoriya Topol, editor-in-chief of educational media outlet “New Ukrainian School”
17. Anastasiya Bahalika, presenter and editor at Hromadske Radio
18. Diana Dutsyk, executive director of NGO “Ukrainian Media and Communications Institute”
19. Olha Yurkova, media expert, journalist
20. Yulia Hrytsenko, media manager, media expert
21. Antonina Chundak, content manager, freelance journalist
22. Iryna Andreytsiv, editor at liga.net
23. Nina Korol, journalist at kolo.news
24. Ruslana Kravchenko, presenter and editor at Hromadske Radio
25. Tetiana Troshchynska, editor-in-chief of Hromadske Radio
26. Iryna Nebesna, journalist, editor at TMTS.INFO
27. Kamila Hrabchuk, journalist, producer at The New York Times
28. Olha Reshetylova, coordinator of Media Initiative for Human Rights
29. Hanna Uliura, literary critic, Candidate of Philological Sciences
30. Oksana Maksymeniuk, head of legal department of NGO “Institute for Regional Press Development”
31. Olha Dukhnich, journalist at NV magazine
32. Olena Osmolovska, director general at “Law Review”
33. Myroslava Makarevych, journalist, writer
34. Tetiana Kurmanova, journalist, program director at Hromadske Radio
35. Andiy Mokrousov, “Krytyka” publishing house, director and executive editor
36. Marharyta Tulup, journalist
37. Anna Khayetska, editor-in-chief of Wonderzine Ukraine
38. Iryna Petrenko, journalist at LIGA.Life within LIGA.net
39. Viktoriya Feshchuk, journalist, editor of Chytomo special projects
40. Natalia Tolochko, journalist, professor of Journalism Department of Uzhgorod National University
41. Kateryna Roshuk, co-founder and СЕО of Bukvy, owner of Reputation Security reputation management agency
42. Vladislava Didenko, copy editor at #Bukvy online media outlet
43. Aliona Savchuk, freelance reporter
44. Iryna Lopatina, journalist
45. Maria Zavyalova, journalist, editor
46. #Bukvy editorial team (bykvu.com)
47. Kristina Berdynskykh, journalist at NV
48. Ksiusha Savoskina, journalist at hromadske
49. Olesia Bida, journalist at hromadske
50. Nastia Stanko, journalist at hromadske
51. Lesia Pyniak, journalist at hromadske
52. Viktoria Beha, deputy editor-in-chief of hromadske
53. Zhenia Motorevska, editor-in-chief of hromadske
54. Khrystyna Borovkova, media expert, misinformation analyst
55. Olena Alchanova, columnist divoche.media; editor and copywriter, writer.
56. Inna Moskvina, JSC “NSTU”, Suspilne, Pershyi TV channel
57. Alla Maksymchuk, journalist at Journalistic Investigation Agency “Fourth Estate”, Rivne city
58. Natalia Sokolenko, Ukrainian Radio
59. Maryna Zharda, head of press center, Interfax-Ukraine news agency
60. Iryna Siedova, journalist, human rights defender
61. Svitlana Samoylenko, editor at Espreso TV channel
62. Tetiana Bezruk, journalist
63. Maryna Nikolayeva, editor at ATN (Kharkiv)
64. Daria Hirna, journalist at Suspilne
65. Iryna Slavinska, journalist
66. Anastasia Lukashevska, journalist at 24 TV channel
67. Olha Chayko, journalist
68. Anhelina Kariakina, journalist, head producer of news department of Suspilne, co-founder of Public Interest Journalism Lab
69. Kateryna Tolokolnikova, presenter at Radio Culture (Suspilne)
70. Inesa Atamanchuk, journalist at JSC “MIG Newspaper”
71. Natalia Humeniuk, journalist, founder of Public Interest Journalism Lab
72. Svitlana Bondar, journalist, Odesa
73. Maryna Liuta, journalist, editor at Kultura Radio
74. Maryna Liuta, journalist, editor at Kultura Radio
75. Anna Novozhylova, localization expert, editor, Kyiv
76. Olha Bilousenko, journalist at Detector Media
77. Anastasiya Hudyma, editor, producer, Suspilne Broadcasting (Coordination Center for National Communities Broadcasting)
78. Natalia Slipenko, translator, editor, Kyiv city
79. Tamila Ivanova, journalist at Suspilne Kherson
80. Yulia Danylenko, journalist
81. Aliona Romaniuk, media expert, fact checker at Nota Yenota
82. Olha Padiriakova, editor-in-chief of ZMINA online media outlet
83. Anna Slutskaya, journalist, chair of Charity Foundation “Volia”, Uman town
84. Tayisiya Herasymova, communications manager at Charity Foundation “Insight”, Women’s March initiative
85. Oksana Pavlenko, editor-in-chief of Divoche.media
86. Anna Ovcharenko, acting director general of TV-7 TV and Radio Broadcasting Company LLC, Mariupol city
87. Maryna Kuraptseva, journalist at Dom TV channel
88. Natalka Sirobab, journalist at Kolo.news
89. NGO “Detector Media”
90. Natalia Lyhachova, head of NGO “Detector Media” and editor-in-chief of group of websites “Detector Media”
91. Svitlana Ostapa, deputy editor-in-chief of group of websites “Detector Media” , head of supervisory board JSC NSTU “Suspilne”
92. Olha Dukhnich, journalist at NV magazine
93. Olena Osmolovska, director general at “Law Review”
94. Myroslava Makarevych, journalist, writer
95. Tetiana Kurmanova, journalist, program director at Hromadske Radio
96. Andiy Mokrousov, “Krytyka” publishing house, director and executive editor
97. Marharyta Tulup, journalist
98. Anna Khayetska, editor-in-chief of Wonderzine Ukraine
99. Iryna Petrenko, journalist at LIGA.Life within LIGA.net
100. Viktoriya Feshchuk, journalist, editor of Chytomo special projects
101. Natalia Tolochko, journalist, professor of Journalism Department of Uzhgorod National University
102. Kateryna Roshuk, co-founder and СЕО of Bukvy, owner of Reputation Security reputation management agency
103. Vladislava Didenko, copy editor at #Bukvy online media outlet
104. Aliona Savchuk, freelance reporter
105. Iryna Lopatina, journalist
106. Maria Zavyalova, journalist, editor
107. #Bukvy editorial team (bykvu.com)
108. Kristina Berdynskykh, journalist at NV
109. Ksiusha Savoskina, journalist at hromadske
110. Olesia Bida, journalist at hromadske
111. Nastia Stanko, journalist at hromadske
112. Lesia Pyniak, journalist at hromadske
113. Viktoria Beha, deputy editor-in-chief of hromadske
114. Zhenia Motorevska, editor-in-chief of hromadske
115. Khrystyna Borovkova, media expert, misinformation analyst
116. Olena Alchanova, columnist divoche.media; editor and copywriter, writer.
117. Inna Moskvina, JSC “NSTU”, Suspilne, Pershyi TV channel
118. Alla Maksymchuk, journalist at Journalistic Investigation Agency “Fourth Estate”, Rivne city
119. Natalia Sokolenko, Ukrainian Radio
120. Maryna Zharda, head of press center, Interfax-Ukraine news agency
121. Iryna Siedova, journalist, human rights defender
122. Svitlana Samoylenko, editor at Espreso TV channel
123. Tetiana Bezruk, journalist
124. Maryna Nikolayeva, editor at ATN (Kharkiv)
125. Daria Hirna, journalist at Suspilne
126. Iryna Slavinska, journalist
127. Anastasia Lukashevska, journalist at 24 TV channel
128. Olha Chayko, journalist
129. Anhelina Kariakina, journalist, head producer of news department of Suspilne, co-founder of Public Interest Journalism Lab
130. Kateryna Tolokolnikova, presenter at Radio Culture (Suspilne)
131. Inesa Atamanchuk, journalist at JSC “MIG Newspaper”
132. Natalia Humeniuk, journalist, founder of Public Interest Journalism Lab

Women human rights defenders, lawyers, therapists, teachers, NGOs:

1. Olha Korniushyna, PhD, author of the book “37 Buddhist Tricks”
2. Kseniya Talalay, communications manager, culture manager
3. Renata Kaletova, financial analyst, Prague
4. Yana Dubynianska, writer
5. Kamilla Kostenko, marketing and communications consultant
6. Zlata Symonenko, lawyer, adviser at Law Firm “Sayenko Kharenko”
7. Volodymyr Sushchenko, honoured lawyer of Ukraine, legal research adviser at Razumkov Center
8. Olha Antonenko, teacher at secondary school No.291, Kyiv city
9. Oksana Matviyuk, bank employee
10. Anastasiya Lisova, education manager
11. Dmytro and Natalia Romankos, NGO “Black Swans”
12. Natalia Pashko, sexual abuse therapist
13. Nadia Volkova, lawyer, chair of NGO “Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group”
14. Kateryna Zuyeva, deputy head of accounts department at Windrose aviation company
15. Yulia Stepura, psychiatrist
16. Diana Busuyok, therapist
17. Iryna Fedorovych, director of NGO “Social Action Center”
18. Hanna Lutvynova, human rights defender, lawyer at NGO “Insight”
19. Olha Tymchenko, head of social communications department at the Institute of Information Security
20. Ketryna Voronkevych, IT specialist
21. Oleksandra Pidhayevska, practical psychologist
22. Anna Pykhtina, communications manager
23. Yaryna Vyshenska, co-founder of Charity Foundation “Strong”, head of nudge creative agency
24. Nadia Volchenska, co-founder of Charity Foundation “Strong”, therapist
25. Anastasiya Krasnoplakhtych, communications coordinator Charity Foundation “Strong”, communications manager
26. Natalia Trushyna, therapist, supervisor at All-Ukrainian Union of Psychologists Practicing the Gestalt Approach
27. Svitlana Tarabanova, children’s rights expert, Women’s Consortium of Ukraine
28. Alla Koriavets, English language professor
29. Vitalina Maslova, artist, art therapist, author of technique “art rehabilitation”, founder of Charity Organization “International Charity Foundation “Art Kryyivka”
30. Oleksiy Lazarenko, Vice-President of All-Ukrainian Foundation for the Protection of Children’s Rights
31. Nadia Hordiyenko, therapist
32. Yulia Vodko, law student
33. Vitaliya Lebid, advocate, lawyer at Center for Strategic Affairs of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union
34. Kateryna Pokhodenko, designer, postgraduate student at Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, expert on accreditation of educational programs at National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance
35. Oksana Tomchuk, lawyer, chair of NGO “Sich” Human Rights Protection Group
36. Oleksandr Volchanskyi, photographer
37. Anastasiya Zaremba, clinical psychologist
38. Liudmyla Yutskevych, enginner, student of Michigan Technological University master’s program

39. Alisa Novichkova, international advocacy manager at Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union та Human Rights House Crimea

1. Khrystyna Kit, lawyer, head of NGO Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association “JurFem” and the whole “JurFem” team
2. Oksana Rymareva, medical psychologist, All-Ukrainian Center for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities
3. Tetiana Sikachovska, French language professor
4. Darya Andreyeva, activist, consent culture researcher
5. Artur Sumarokov, film critic and playwright

45. Valeriya Paliy, president of the National Psychological Association, a psychological association that unites more than 1,000 psychologists across Ukraine. In early May, the NPA’s Ethics Commission developed guidelines for psychologists, public figures, and the media on how to cover sensitive topics. Text: https://www.npa-ua.org/_files/ugd/86d9b8_ea36762945a840c29c1de53b7ea5a232.pdf
46. Olena Datsenko, psychologist
47. Alla Morozova, head of legal department of SE “Ukrservice of the Ministry of Transport”
48. Irena Trytiak, professor
49. Viktoriya Panina, information security expert, radiophysicist, co-founder of the Charity “Foundation for the Promotion of the Nation’s Health”
50. Marharyta Fadeyeva, psychotherapist, member of the Ukrainian Union of Psychotherapists and the Ukrainian Association of Specialists for Overcoming of Psychological Traumatic Events
51. Yana Pekun, gender equality and social inclusion expert and consultant
52.   Nadia Shyriy, psychologist, cognitive behavioral therapist, private practice
53. Olha Shcherbakova, lawyer, member of the gender policy committee of the National Bar Association of Ukraine
54. Anna Semenchuk, QA engineer
55. Maria Kurinna, women rights defender, former diplomat, international advocacy managet at “Human Rigths Centre ZMINA”