Ukrainian Refugees at Risk of Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation
GHRTV
29-03-2022
Margareta Ana Baksa
Europe Team and Human Rights Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began a little over a month ago, over four million refugees fled Ukraine to its neighbouring countries in search of safety. Aid workers and humanitarian organizations are now increasingly warning of the dangers for these refugees, especially women and children who make up around 90 per cent of the group.
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), the United Nations Office on Drugs on Crime (UNODC), and the International Rescue Committee are amongst those warning of the risks of violence, abuse, and exploitation that women and children fleeing Ukraine are facing. The trafficking of Ukrainians was already an established practice before the conflict, according to UNODC. Now, after the invasion began, existing vulnerabilities are only increased as refugees travel to unfamiliar places, often without speaking the language and are already weakened by their attempts to find safety and start their lives again.
Reports of suspicious activities at the borders and sightings of suspected human traffickers have already surfaced; in some situations, these suspicions were confirmed once police investigated the individuals and their intentions. Some women also report traffickers have been posing as aid workers to lure in their victims. Moreover, the uncoordinated influx of volunteers who offer transport or shelter to refugees at the borders makes it more difficult to discern the intentions of these individuals or monitor the potential dangers.
Ukrainian refugees now have to weigh the risks of leaving and facing the threat posed by human trafficking or staying and risking a different perilous situation at the hands of the Russian forces. Namely, aside from the immediate danger of death or injury from shelling and gunfire, women who stay in Ukraine are in danger of sexual violence. Member of the Ukrainian parliament Maria Mezentseva has decried several instances of rape and sexual violence at the hands of Russian soldiers, including one case where a woman was raped in front of her child. This case was brought to the Ukrainian Prosecutor General, but it is not the only such case, as Mezentseva notes that many remain unreported.
Sources and further reading
Adler, K. (2022, March 28). How the sex trade preys on Ukraine's refugees. BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60891801
Fallon, K., Cundy, A. & Crean, R. (2022, March 24). Vigilantes stalk Ukraine border as sex traffickers target fleeing women and children. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/mar/24/vigilantes-stalk-ukraine-border-as-sex-traffickers-target-fleeing-women-and-children
GRETA (2022, March 17). Human trafficking experts: States must urgently protect refugees fleeing Ukraine. Council of Europe. https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/human-trafficking-experts-states-must-urgently-protect-refugees-fleeing-ukraine
International Rescue Committee (2022, March 7). As over 1.5 million people flee Ukraine, women and children at increased risk of exploitation and abuse, warns IRC.
Taylor, H. (2022, March 27). Russian soldiers raping and sexually assaulting women, says Ukraine MP. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/27/russian-soldiers-raping-and-sexually-assaulting-women-says-ukraine-mp
UNHCR (2022). Refugees fleeing Ukraine since 24 February 2022. Operational Data Portal - Ukraine Refugee Situation. Retrieved March 29, 2022, from https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine
UNDOC (2022, March 24). Targeted by Traffickers - Ukrainian Refugees at High Risk of Exploitation. United Nations.
