Guidance Note - Working with Male Survivors of Sexual Violence in Ukraine [EN/UK]

This contextualised guidance note is to support gender-based violence (GBV) actors in their work with male survivors of sexual violence in Ukraine. The GBV guiding principles and survivor-centred approach should inform responses to survivors regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, ethnicity, or other diversity factors. The guidance note was developed based on global guidance, including the GBV AoR Guidance to Gender Based Violence Coordinators Addressing the Needs of Male Survivors of Sexual Violence in GBV Coordination, best practice, and the findings of a barrier analysis conducted by Women Refugee Commission (WRC) on behalf of the GBV Area of Responsibility (AoR) Working Group on the Needs of Male Survivors.

Accountability to women and girls in GBV programming in Ukraine:

Women and girls in Ukraine are disproportionately affected by GBV. Recognising this, GBV programming in Ukraine that supports male survivors should remain accountable to women and girls, and support to male survivors should not undermine GBV services for women and girls. It is not recommended to meet with male survivors in female only spaces, including in Women and Girls Safe Spaces. In line with the GBV AoR Guidance to Gender Based Violence Coordinators Addressing the Needs of Male Survivors of Sexual Violence in GBV Coordination, ‘male safe spaces’ are not recommended as an intervention for male survivors of sexual violence.

Sexual violence against men and adolescent boys in Ukraine:

Sexual violence is not about sexual desire, rather it is about violence, power and control over another person. Sexual violence is defined as any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, or other act directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the survivor. For the purpose of this guidance note, the GBV AoR has taken the definition of sexual violence against male survivors from the WRC, 2021, Addressing Sexual Violence against Men, Boys, and LGBTIQ+ Persons in Humanitarian Settings: A Field-Friendly Guidance Note by Sector. Based on this definition, sexual violence against men and boys in Ukraine may include:

• Child sexual abuse against boys.

• Rape or attempted rape.

• Unwanted touching.

• Being forced to observe or listen to sexual violence.

• Coerced or forced participation in sexual activity, including sexual violence against other.

• Genital violence, which may include shocks or beating aimed at the testicles and penis, and castration.

• Forced stripping.

• Forced masturbation and other forms of sexual humiliation.

• Sexual exploitation.

• Trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation.