When violence targets who you are: LGBTQI+ survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in occupied Ukraine

For many survivors, speaking about conflict-related sexual violence can be as difficult as living through it. Years after the events described here, some continue to cope with trauma, fear, and the lasting consequences of what they experienced during occupation.

Conflict-related sexual violence includes rape, threats of rape, sexual torture, forced nudity, sexual humiliation, and other forms of sexual violence committed in situations of armed conflict, occupation, or detention.

As highlighted in the UN Secretary-General's 2025 Annual Report on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, "LGBTQ+ persons were at acute risk of sexual violence, in particular in detention settings."

While conflict-related sexual violence remains significantly underreported worldwide, the United Nations has documented cases affecting women, men, girls, boys and people of diverse genders in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including in detention settings and areas under occupation.

The experiences of LGBTQI+ survivors in occupied parts of Ukraine demonstrate how conflict-related sexual violence can intersect with discrimination based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics, creating additional barriers to safety, recovery, justice, and support.

"Survivors of conflict-related sexual violence are not a homogenous group. Their experiences, needs and circumstances differ, requiring survivor-centred approaches that respond to each individual with dignity and care," wrote UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his 2025 report.

"I'll show you that men are much better."

Two months before the liberation of Kherson, Olena (name changed), a young lesbian woman, was detained by Russian soldiers while working as a shop assistant. During a search of her home, soldiers found a Ukrainian flag and an LGBTQ+ rainbow flag.

After learning that she was a lesbian, they detained her and demanded information about other LGBTQ+ people in the city.

When Olena refused to cooperate, she was beaten and threatened with sexual violence.

"I'll show you that men are much better," one soldier told her while she was restrained and unable to move.

The abuse continued during subsequent detentions. To this day, Olena has not reported the crimes to law enforcement authorities.

"If we meet again, I'll rape you."

In May 2022, Andrii (name changed), a member of the LGBTQI+ community living in occupied Kherson, was stopped by Russian servicemen while returning home from work.

What began as routine questioning quickly escalated into sexualized violence.

According to his testimony, one soldier forcibly touched him under his clothing without consent and threatened him with rape:

"If we meet again, I'll rape you."

Although the encounter lasted only minutes, its impact endured. As a civilian living under occupation, Andrii had no realistic way to resist or seek protection.

When Violence and Discrimination Intersect

The experiences of Olena and Andrii illustrate how conflict-related sexual violence can intersect with discrimination against LGBTQI+ persons, deepening trauma and reinforcing stigma.

"What we see in these testimonies is not a series of isolated incidents. Across different survivors and periods of occupation, similar patterns emerge: unlawful detention, torture, sexual violence, humiliation and attempts to break people through fear. These stories remind us that conflict-related sexual violence can be used not only against individuals, but also to intimidate communities and assert control over civilian populations," says Vitalii Matvieiev, Head of Projector.

For many survivors, the consequences extend far beyond the violations themselves. Physical injuries, psychological trauma, fear and social stigma can persist for years, while concerns about retaliation, disclosure or reliving traumatic experiences may prevent survivors from seeking support or pursuing justice.

Several residents of shelters for LGBTQI+ internally displaced people told us they had survived conflict-related sexual violence under occupation but did not report the crimes. They feared that speaking out would expose them to further violence, discrimination and stigma.

Putting Survivors at the Centre

Recovery looks different for every survivor. Some people are ready to speak, while others need time. Access to psychological care, medical services, legal assistance and social support can be just as important as the pursuit of justice itself.

"No survivor should have to choose between seeking justice and protecting their own safety. We must ensure that services are safe, inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics," says Analee Pepper, Senior Women's Protection Advisor on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence.

As Ukraine continues to pursue justice and recovery, survivor-centred approaches must remain at the heart of these efforts.

Survivors of conflict-related sexual violence are not a homogenous group, and their experiences, risks and recovery needs can differ significantly. The same principle that increasingly guides support for other groups of survivors must also apply to LGBTQI+ survivors.

At a time when the rights of LGBTQI+ people are being challenged in many parts of the world, reaffirming equal protection and equal access to justice for all survivors is more important than ever.

Together with Ukrainian institutions, civil society organizations and survivor networks, the United Nations continues to support efforts to strengthen services for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, improve access to justice and ensure that responses remain safe, inclusive and survivor-centred.

No survivor of conflict-related sexual violence should be left behind.