2376 cases of violence and violations of Ukrainian sex workers’ rights recorded in DataCheck

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2376 cases of violence and violations of ukrainian sex workers’ rights recorded in datacheck

The data below is based on the results of a study on the impact of martial law on the human rights of sex workers, conducted by CO “Legalife-Ukraine” in 2025 with the support of 100% Life, NSWP and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

From September 2024 to August 2025, the sex worker community of Ukraine recorded 2,376 reports from 1,355 sex workers regarding violations of their rights and violence (the community uses the DataCheck app to record and respond to reports). Compared to last year’s data, the number of reports has almost doubled (from September 2023 to August 2024, the DataCheck database recorded 1,418 cases of violence and violations of SW rights).

The vast majority of reports came from women – 2,362 reports, from men – 10, and from trans women – 4 reports.

The highest number of appeals was recorded in Poltava (408), Rivne (302), Vinnytsia (259), Kirovohrad (249), Dnipropetrovsk (248), Volyn (235) and Mykolaiv (215) regions.

The fewest appeals were recorded in Kyiv (1), Cherkasy (1), Kharkiv (21), Odesa (32) regions and in Kyiv city (18).

THE AREAS IN WHICH CASES OF VIOLATION OF RIGHTS AND VIOLENCE AGAINST SEX WORKERS WERE RECORDED CAN BE CONDITIONALLY DIVIDED INTO THE FOLLOWING:

  • MEDICINE – 911 complaints (38% of the total number of cases in DataCheck);
  • JUSTICE – 448 (19% of the total number of cases in DataCheck);
  • VIOLENCE – 435 reports (18%);
  • ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND SOCIAL PROTECTION – 348 reports (15% of the total number);
  • EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT – 213 (9%);
  • EMERGENCIES – 21 (less than 1%).

These data confirm the results of interviews with SWs and conclusions regarding the highest rates of violations of SWs rights by medical workers and law enforcement officials.

Of the 2,376 appeals recorded in DataCheck:

  • in 65 cases, SWs refused legal assistance (3% of the total number of appeals);
  • in 2,238 cases, the case was successfully resolved as a result of appealing to paralegals (94% of appeals);
  • 27 appeals were completed by referral to other specialists (1%);
  • 14 cases ended without a positive outcome for various reasons, including the client’s refusal to take further action;
  • and in 32 cases, paralegal/legal support for clients continues.

The tables below show the number and types of violations of SWs rights in the main areas: Medicine, Education, Work and Employment, Administrative Services and Social Protection, Law Enforcement and Justice.

 

MEDICINE

911 appeals

Refusal to provide medical services, including:

334

Refusal to receive ORT (Opioid replacement therapy)/recording side effects/issuance for self-administration

51

Refusal to hospitalize/outpatient treatment/home hospital

88

Unjustified refusal to establish disability groups

21

Refusal to provide medical care

74

Refusal to sign a declaration by a family doctor

54

Refusal to manage pregnancy/conduct childbirth

6

Refusal to conduct diagnostics, research, examinations for HIV, TB, STIs, hepatitis, co-infections, etc.

21

other

19

Statements by a medical/social worker that degrade human dignity

299

Extortion of money, unofficial payments, payment for services/medications, etc.

185

Obstetric violence (demanding abortion, forced sterilization, pressure to perform sterilization, etc.)

6

Disclosure of medical secrets/breach of confidentiality

36

Violation of ORT dispensing procedure/patient monitoring procedure

14

OTHER APPEALS

37

 

JUSTICE

448 appeals

Insults and threats, statements by law enforcement officers that degrade human dignity

158

Refusal to provide effective protection against aggression / acceptance of a crime report / unprofessional behavior of police officers during the investigation of crimes or operational-search activities

112

Illegal detention

30

Blackmail and extortion by law enforcement officers

26

Torture and physical violence by law enforcement officers

16

Violation of the procedure for conducting a superficial check/superficial examination

13

Disclosure and threats of disclosure of confidential information

13

Illegal seizure of items, including Antiretroviral therapy (ART) / Opioid replacement therapy (ORT) - drugs

10

Illegal search of a residence

9

Violation during a trial/Non-enforcement of court decisions/Discriminatory attitude by court officers

8

Violation of the right of a person to professional legal assistance

8

OTHER VIOLATIONS

45

 

EDUCATION

58  appeals

Bullying (bullying by teachers and administration, by peers and their parents, insults, threats, etc.)

33

Expulsion from an educational institution

14

Disclosure of confidential information, illegal collection of such information

7

Refusal of admission to an educational institution/Violation of the right to education

4

 

WORK

155 appeals

Refusal of employment/promotion/other professional restrictions due to belonging to vulnerable groups

41

Forced dismissal "at will" due to belonging to vulnerable groups

35

Reduction or non-payment of wages due to belonging to vulnerable groups

27

Attitudes that degrade honor and dignity due to belonging to vulnerable groups

14

Requirement to provide additional documents not provided for by law

13

Unfounded accusations of embezzlement or other grounds due to belonging to vulnerable groups

10

Disclosure of confidential information/illegal collection of information

10

Requirement of forced HIV testing

5

 

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND SOCIAL PROTECTION

348 appeals

Illegal collection/Disclosure and threats of disclosure of confidential information

107

Refusal to provide social services, social assistance, registration of subsidies, etc.

96

Statements by an employee of a state organization that degrade human dignity

80

Requirement to provide additional documents not provided for by law when registering social services

19

Violation of the rights of consumers of utility and other non-medical services

15

Denial of registration at an employment center

13

Discrimination in the provision of administrative services due to belonging to vulnerable groups

11

Violation of the procedure for payment of unemployment benefits

7

 The analysis of applications in DataCheck confirms the results of the interviews not only regarding the areas, but also regarding the types of rights violations that SWs face.

In all of the areas listed, SWs face stigma and, as a result, discrimination due to their membership of vulnerable groups, namely:

  • unprofessional behaviour, negative attitudes on the part of state officials, law enforcement officers, employers, medical professionals, etc., insults, and statements that demean human dignity;
  • refusal to provide services and assistance, social benefits, refusal to hire and dismissal, obstacles to obtaining education;
  • disclosure of medical secrets/confidential information;
  • and other offences.

It should be noted separately that in the field of law enforcement, SWs face not only stigma and discrimination, but also physical violence and cruel treatment by law enforcement officials.

From September 2024 to August 2025, 635 reports of gender-based violence were recorded (27% of the total number of reports):

  • 435 reports from SWs regarding gender-based/domestic violence due to their membership of vulnerable groups, gender identity, sexual orientation, illness, etc.;
  • 200 reports (31% of the total number of reports of violence) from SWs regarding violence in the area of "Justice and Law Enforcement" due to belonging to vulnerable groups, gender identity, sexual orientation, illness, etc.

Of the 635 cases of violence registered in DataCheck:

  • in 53 cases, SWs refused legal assistance;
  • in 554 cases, the case was successfully resolved as a result of contacting paralegals (87% of the number of registered cases of violence);
  • in 17 cases, SWs were referred to other specialists to resolve the case;
  • in 7 cases, paralegal/legal support for clients continues;
  • another 4 appeals remain unresolved for various reasons, including the client’s refusal to take further action.

The table below shows the number of registered appeals from SWs who have suffered from violence.

VIOLENCE (community)

435 appeals

Insults, threats, humiliation of human dignity due to belonging to a vulnerable group

166

Violation of the right to family life, domestic violence and/or domestic violence

100

Physical violence of various degrees of severity due to belonging to vulnerable groups

40

Robbery, blackmail and extortion due to belonging to vulnerable groups

39

Torture and ill-treatment due to belonging to vulnerable groups

31

Damage to property due to belonging to vulnerable groups

24

Deprivation of parental rights due to belonging to vulnerable groups

19

Sexual violence and rape

12

Threats with weapons and their use due to belonging to vulnerable groups

3

Illegal detention in a rehabilitation center center

1

VIOLENCE (law enforcement agencies)

200 appeals

Insults and threats, statements that degrade human dignity by law enforcement officers

158

Blackmail and extortion by law enforcement officers

26

Physical violence by law enforcement officers

8

Torture and ill-treatment by law enforcement officers

7

Refusal to ensure continuity of OST treatment (detoxification)

1

Analysis of applications in DataCheck confirms the results of interviews regarding the types of domestic and gender-based violence that SWs face.

Due to their belonging to vulnerable groups, gender and sexual orientation, age, etc., SWs face stigma and, as a result, violence, both from loved ones and relatives (domestic violence) and from outsiders, including law enforcement officials, namely:

  • Insults, threats, humiliation of human dignity due to belonging to a vulnerable group;
  • Family violence;
  • Physical violence, including sexual, of varying degrees of severity;
  • Robbery, blackmail and extortion;
  • Psychological and economic violence;
  • And other crimes related to violence.

Prepared by the team of the CO “Legalife-Ukraine”

 

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