Sat Nov 30 11:25:51 UTC 2024: ## UN Warns of Underreported Sexual Violence Against Ukrainian Men in Russian Detention

**KYIV** – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has warned of a significant underreporting of sexual violence against Ukrainian men held in Russian detention centers since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. While official Ukrainian figures record only 114 cases, the UNFPA estimates the true number is far higher, potentially 10 to 20 times greater due to stigma and the perceived emasculation associated with such crimes.

This underreporting is further exacerbated by the inherent challenges faced by all survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in seeking support, including limited resources and the ongoing war itself. However, for male survivors, the stigma is compounded by fears of misinterpretation and association with sexual minorities, according to UNFPA Ukraine representative Massimo Diana.

The UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has already documented the systematic use of sexual violence as a method of torture in Russian-controlled detention centers, with high-ranking Russian personnel implicated in ordering or condoning such acts. Testimonies reveal the use of rape as a weapon, with victims often having videos of their abuse sent to relatives for blackmail or humiliation.

This issue is not unique to the Ukraine conflict. The UNFPA highlights a global pattern of conflict-related sexual violence affecting men and boys, citing examples from Sudan and Israel, where reports of rape against male detainees are also emerging. The UN has condemned the use of rape as a weapon of war in these and other conflicts. The UNFPA’s findings underscore the urgent need for improved support systems and a reduction in the stigma surrounding male victims of sexual violence in conflict zones.

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