About war and sex work with Iryna Yemelyanova, Lutsk city, Ukraine

WE CONTINUE OUR SERIES OF INTERVIEWS ‘ABOUT WAR AND SEX WORK IN UKRAINE’ with our leaders and paralegals in 2026. Almost a year has passed since our last public conversation with our regional representatives, when we talked about the lives of Ukrainians, the fate of sex workers and the sphere of sex services in Ukraine during the war. This year, we return to this conversation to recall the events of four years of this war and analyse their impact on our community and society.

IRINA YEMELYANOVA (ІРИНА ЄМЕЛЬЯНОВА) — leader of the sex workers’ community of CO "LEGALIFE-UKRAINE" in  LUTSK (Луцьк), Ukraine.

Natalia Dorofeeva, CO “Legalife-Ukraine” (ND): Hello, Iryna! Tell me how you are doing, what changes have occurred in your daily life over the past year?

Iryna Yemelyanova: I consider my personal achievement this year to be that I finally forced myself to take care of my health. Like most women activists who help women from vulnerable groups, I could not find the time, desire, and opportunity to seek medical help for a long time. I know that many of my colleagues have similar problems. While advising women, motivating them to consult doctors in a timely manner, they themselves do not undergo examinations and postpone visits to specialized specialists until the last minute.

For several years I have had back problems. At the beginning of this year, I was forced to consult an orthopedist, and after undergoing a course of treatment, I started working out with a rehabilitation specialist. Since March, I have been going to the gym three times a week. It was very difficult at first. Every time, when I was going to train, I would throw out made-up excuses to skip classes. Over time, I got involved, stopped feeling back pain, began to feel better in general, and saw real results from training.

It has been ten months since I first crossed the threshold of a training room in the last 45 years. And to this day, I never cease to be surprised that I have enough perseverance and motivation not to quit training.

Otherwise, there have been no special changes in my life. Work has become the meaning of my life. My daughter, who now lives in Germany, never ceases to pleasantly surprise me. She continues to train in sports and plays for the German national canoeing team. This year, her achievements were added to 4 gold, one silver and one bronze medals of the European Championship. She also received a category C1 driver’s license and now combines work on a large car with training. A little girl and a big car! Nastyusha (Настюша) likes the job of a driver. I am happy and proud that my daughter, at 27, knows how to set goals for herself and achieve results.

ND: And how are things going with your wards and colleagues? What has changed in your initiative group (IG) during the war years?

Iryna: This year, an important event took place in our initiative group. We moved to a wonderful office with a convenient location. The office is bright, spacious, warm and comfortably furnished. Now our meetings are held in the office of our partners of the Resource Territory of the All-Ukrainian Association of Drug-Addicted Women "VONA" (Всеукраїнське об’єднання наркозалежних жінок «ВОНА»). Three organizations that help women from vulnerable groups have united under one roof: CO "VONA", CO "Legalife-Ukraine" and CO "Positive Women" (БО ВОНЖ «ВОНА», БО «Легалайф-Україна» та БО «Позитивні жінки»).

New girls are joining our initiative group. The group is growing. I am sincerely glad that we managed to unite the girls and preserve the group during the four years of war. The girls have become almost a family, they support each other, at meetings they exchange news of their personal lives, their troubles, misfortunes, joys, and share advice for all occasions.

Photo session for women of the initiative group CO "Legalaif-Ukraine", Lutsk, 2025

The group maintains the tradition of celebrating the birthdays of the participants, giving small gifts, bringing sweets and treating the girls. For several years now, the girls have been congratulating me on my birthday. It is always nice to see expressions of respect and attention, to receive gifts.

Every Saturday I hold meetings of the initiative group. Often the girls themselves suggest topics for the next lesson. I am glad that the girls’ awareness of protecting their rights, access to medical, social and legal services has increased significantly, and the level of self-stigma has decreased. One girl from the initiative group has completed training and is now successfully providing paralegal services. Now another girl has expressed a desire to join the organization and become a paralegal.

This year, partnerships were established with the Day Center for Social and Psychological Assistance, which provides comprehensive support (social, psychological, legal) to women who have suffered from domestic violence or gender-based violence. They offer temporary shelter in a crisis room and professional help to get out of a difficult situations. Recently, our woman, who had been suffering from domestic violence for a long time, was referred to the center, where she received professional help and left a toxic relationship.

Participants of a working meeting at the Day Center of the Volyn Regional Center for Providing Socio-Psychological Support to Women in Situations of Violence

ND: Iryna, how has Ukrainian society changed over the four years of war: is the drive for civic activism felt in 2022, have we become more tolerant of vulnerable groups?

Iryna: I increasingly notice how tension in society is increasing due to psychological exhaustion. On the one hand, solidarity, volunteerism, mutual assistance are strengthening, and on the other hand, anxiety, the level of depression, constant fear, loneliness, irritation due to the inability to control and plan one’s life are increasing, which leads to burnout and psychological exhaustion.

In the city, I note an increase in social activity, unity around common goals, and the activation of public organizations that support victims of violence and war, veterans and their families. At the same time, people become less empathetic and more vulnerable due to mass exhaustion. Often, war fatigue and aggression are directed at the less protected and vulnerable.

Many men, partners and clients were mobilized into the army. Women were left alone and were forced to provide for their families, take on the responsibility of caring for children and elderly parents. The humanitarian crisis caused by the war only worsened the situation of people from vulnerable groups, the poor and sex workers. Along with this, in my opinion, society’s attitude towards sex workers and vulnerable groups has worsened. People are ready to blame sex workers for all their troubles and transfer all the accumulated negativity onto them. Although I hear a few voices in defense of our women. I often feel outright indifference towards women.

In my work, I sometimes encounter misunderstanding and negative reactions. I always try to explain the purpose of my work and often find understanding, support, and sometimes help. On social media, when I encounter stigma, hate, or statements about sex workers’ own lifestyle choices, I try to explain that, regardless of their choice, women have the same rights as everyone else—to life, health, and protection.

ND: In parallel with changes in society, the economy, security, the market and conditions of sex work have changed: is there an influx of new people (including IDPs), how are the methods of finding clients and providing services changing compared to 2022?

Iryna: The war forced many women to look for new sources of income, so sex work became a response to financial difficulties for a significant number of women from vulnerable groups and low-income women.

With the increase in the number of internally displaced women from occupied or frontline regions, competition in the sex work sector has increased, which has created new challenges for finding clients and work.

The number of IDPs has increased again in the last few months, and women who did not provide sex services before the war are joining sex work. The search for clients has shifted online. Women use social networks and specialized applications for this.

Recently, with the increased mobilization and active work of the Territorial Center for Procurement and Social Support (TCPSS) on the streets of the city, you will hardly see men. Women mainly provide services to regular clients. Many work remotely, but the risk of identity disclosure and blackmail increases here.

ND: You say that there have been fewer men on the streets, that the format of work has changed. And how has the client’s portrait changed in connection with this? Who is the main buyer of services now and how have these changes (transition to digital or working only with verified people) affected the real income and safety of girls?

Iryna: The number of military personnel has increased significantly among clients. Many sex workers provide services to military personnel who are undergoing treatment in the city’s hospitals.

The girls note that their pay has increased over the past year. But it has become more psychologically difficult and dangerous to work. Usually, the military’s attitude towards sex workers is good, although there are inadequate or drunk clients, and then conflicts arise.

There are clients who come not with a physical need, but with a need to "talk" or release negativity. Sometimes the client pays not for sex, but for emotional release. The girls say that it is the disabled military who have started to make such requests more often. But some girls frankly say that they refuse such offers because they are not psychologically prepared.

ND: Do you have data from sex workers on the dynamics of violence during the war years? What safety measures do women use today to protect themselves from risks to their lives and health?

Iryna: In my opinion, the level of violence against sex workers increased during the war. It seems to me that the reasons for this are economic instability and general aggression in society, which increases the vulnerability of women for whom sex work is the only way to survive.

Girls talk about cases of violence from clients, pimps, partners, etc., but do not want to seek help because they are afraid of criminal prosecution and revenge.

Most sex workers try to avoid providing services to inadequate or aggressive clients, refuse to provide services without a condom, and avoid risky practices. But not all sex workers adhere to such rules, so the risks to their health are quite high. In addition, the harm reduction program is currently not operating in Lutsk due to unacceptable conditions at the Public Health Center (PHC). The organization that provided HIV prevention services has ceased operations since the beginning of the year. Sex workers have not been provided with condoms, have not been tested for HIV, hepatitis C and B since the beginning of 2025. These are extremely worrying trends.

That is why, since November, we, together with the Western Ukrainian Resource Center of the All-Ukrainian Association of People with Drug Addiction "Your Home" (NGO WURC "Your Home"), have begun implementing a project with the support of the Public Health Alliance to bring people from vulnerable groups to PrEP pre-exposure prophylaxis. We were one of the first to bring two sex workers to PrEP, and one girl was initially diagnosed with HIV infection. She has now been tested and is already receiving treatment.

Information session for sex workers on preventing gender-based violence

Due to the increase in the level of aggression in society as a whole and the increase in cases of blackmail, harassment on social networks, we began to pay more attention to the topics of personal safety, safety in working with clients and combating violence. We discuss with girls how to assess risks and learn to set boundaries; how to work with atypical, aggressive, clients with PTSD; we analyze how to counteract psychological, economic and sexual violence, we teach girls to create individual safety plans.

Recently, as part of the "16 Days Against Violence", we held classes on Internet safety and digital violence. We talked about how to protect your data and privacy, how to protect yourself from fraud, blackmail and manipulation. One woman shared her own experience and said that she was threatened and blackmailed in a messenger to reveal her affiliation with vulnerable groups. I explained to the participants that this is a violation of the human right to privacy, which is punishable by the Criminal Code of Ukraine under Art. 182 (violation of privacy), Art. 189 (extortion). In such cases, one should not delete correspondence and block the person, but rather take a screenshot, collect evidence, and save the blackmailer’s profile. As a result of this session, the woman did collect evidence and contacted the Cyber ​​Police so that they could find the blackmailer and restore her right to live without fear.

The SWs initiative group joined the "Support. Don’t punish" campaign

ND: Iryna, please tell us how the needs of the community have changed over the past four years? What requests from the SWs are relevant now and what services do you provide in response?

Iryna: With the beginning of a full-scale war, the main needs of sex workers became survival (food, housing, payment of utilities), income restoration or finding alternative work, problems with debts, loans, restoration of documents, IDP status. Women were in a state of chronic stress. As the leader of the initiative group, I became an intermediary between women and services, providing crisis support.

Humanitarian aid to sex workers from the CO “Legalife Ukraine”, Lutsk (Луцьк), 2025

Every month I distribute charitable aid that covers the basic needs of women in food, hygiene and household goods. The women of the IG are extremely grateful to CO “Legalife Ukraine” and the philanthropists for their support during the war. This is extremely important for them and gives them hope for the future.

Recently, one participant of the initiative group was hospitalized with a complex leg fracture. The woman had no savings for an emergency. During her illness, the woman received food and hygiene kits. The initiative group members also helped and supported her friend during such a difficult time for her: they bought the necessary products and things in stores, helped prepare food. The flashlight and battery lamp, which the woman had previously received as charity aid, helped her survive the hours of power outages. The woman is sincerely grateful for the support and assistance at a time when she needed it most and was in a helpless state.

Tea, snacks, and a safe space create a supportive environment for women with HIV

Now the work, services, and needs have changed a bit. I provide individual and group counseling, information sessions, support groups, and referrals to institutions or partner organizations for services. All of these activities continue to take place in a safe, non-discriminatory space while maintaining confidentiality. The topics of counseling and information sessions are quite diverse—rights, health, safety, etc. In support groups, women who are experiencing chronic stress and burnout receive psychosocial support. And if necessary, I refer women to psychologists or psychiatrists.

In group counseling, we talk about access to health services, the importance of maintaining reproductive health, and preventing STIs and HIV; we talk about addictions and harm reduction, psycho-emotional burnout, and resources for support.

We often invite representatives of partner organizations, doctors and specialists to information sessions. We recently held a group consultation, to which we invited the infectious disease doctor of the VRCPC (Volyn Regional Center for Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS) Dakaeva E.V. We talked about preserving the reproductive health of sex workers, preventing STIs and HIV. One participant asked for an individual consultation with a doctor. During the consultation, the woman said that she has HIV status, currently lives with her children in the village with her parents, does not provide sex services and has not received ART therapy for more than 3 months. The woman met a man in the village whom she plans to marry, but is afraid to tell about her HIV status. The doctor invited the woman and her husband for a consultation at the HIV/AIDS Center and helped in a difficult situation. Currently, this woman has resumed treatment, and the wedding date has already been set.

Community leader SWs Iryna Yemelyanova and infectious disease specialist of VRCPC

ND: Since the issue of psychological recovery is now a priority for our community, and you often mention the emotional exhaustion of women, tell us where you and the girls from the initiative group get your strength? How do you personally and your activists find the resources to overcome stress and support others during these four years of war?

Iryna: Most girls experience a significant deterioration in their psycho-emotional state during the war. War causes constant stress, anxiety, fear for life and safety - their own and their loved ones. Girls complain of panic attacks, insomnia, nightmares, chronic exhaustion.

Some talk about the exacerbation of domestic conflicts, domestic violence, fear of a partner’s mobilization. Economic difficulties, rising prices for products and services exacerbate psychological problems.

As the leader of the initiative group, I conduct group meetings where girls can talk about their problems and experiences without judgment, exchange experiences and support each other in a safe space. The groups help girls reduce feelings of loneliness, strengthen the importance of community, and ease stress.

I introduce girls to self-help methods, we learn breathing techniques, basic relaxation exercises. If necessary, I refer girls for consultation with psychologists from partner organizations, who have been providing services to our girls for more than one year.

Recently, Olena Vertynska (Олена Вертинська) began providing psychological assistance on the Sex Workers Hotline of CO “Legalife-Ukraine”. For more than one year, I have personally turned to her for psychological support, and I participate in group consultations. I told my girls about this wonderful opportunity, and I will refer them for psychological help.

Providing paralegal advice to a sex worker who has experienced a violation of rights

ND: Speaking about our community, I can’t help but ask how the community’s relations with the police have changed during these years of full-scale war and what new violations of rights have become critical? It is especially interesting to learn about the work of our paralegal network and its role in protecting the rights of sex workers.

Iryna: The girls complain that police raids have become more frequent recently. Our paralegals have recorded cases of blackmail and coercion to cooperate by the police. Although the girls note a more loyal attitude of law enforcement officers towards them. There have been many times fewer outright violations of rights by the police. But in any case, the girls refuse to write statements about the actions of law enforcement officers, because they are afraid of the consequences. The rights of sex workers are also violated in other areas - in the medical, social, especially girls from the cross-group of sex workers + PLWD (People living with drug addiction).

In cases of violations of sex workers’ rights, they receive paralegal assistance, which consists of providing legal information, counseling, psychological support, assistance in drafting statements or complaints, and, if necessary, escorting them to institutions to represent the interests of sex workers, protect their rights, and help solve problems.

If the problem cannot be resolved by a paralegal, the client is referred to lawyers of the Free Legal Aid (state network) and public reception centers of the Ukrainian Helsinki Union for Human Rights (UHHRU).

The topics of consultations and information sessions that I conduct as a leader and paralegal are quite diverse: the rights of sex workers and actions to take in case of their violation; how to act during detention, search, conflicts with the police: algorithms for responding to violations by the police, doctors, social workers; how to write and file a statement, complaint; stigma and discrimination of sex workers; safety in sex work; how to work with atypical clients; how to assess risks and set boundaries; combating various types of violence, etc.

Working meeting with the new head of the VRCPC of the Volyn Regional Infectious Diseases Hospital Dakaeva E.V. and regional development coordinator of CO "VOLNA" Movchanyuk V.

ND: As a community leader, you often have to communicate with various state bodies and institutions. Have your relationships with government agencies changed during the war years?

Iryna: At the beginning of my work, I encountered a lack of trust on the part of state bodies and the police, the perception of sex workers exclusively through the prism of offenses, and a frank disregard for the needs of the community. Interaction was sporadic, situational, and mostly occurred in crisis situations. I protected women in conflict situations, defended the basic rights of sex workers, worked in a "firefighting" mode, and tried to build partnerships. The main challenges for me were the stigmatization of the community, women’s fear of seeking help, and my personal lack of confidence in my own abilities.

Over time, the number of contacts with state bodies increased, I began to be recognized as a representative of the community, the number of openly mocking or hostile reactions decreased, the nature of interaction changed. Now it is more of a working, pragmatic relationship; selective but stable partnership and joint response to cases of rights violations or violence.

If we briefly analyze the changes in relations, then this is the path from rejection and confrontation to dialogue and partnership; from the invisibility of the community to partial recognition of our existence; from a repressive approach to a selective service approach.

It seems that the war worked as a factor that forced representatives of state bodies to look for partners, allies and, through female leaders (experts), access to the community. I believe that these changes occurred due to my active position and consistency, focus on security, not conflicts, as well as my optimism and perseverance (and perhaps exceptional stubbornness).

Working meeting with the Secretary of the Coordination Council on HIV, Tuberculosis and Drug Addiction  Makarenko O.

ND: You have already mentioned many of the main partners that help support and protect the SWs in Lutsk. Which of the partners have you not yet had time to tell about, perhaps new, unexpected alliances have appeared during the war years?

Iryna: In recent years, I have managed to build stable cooperation with non-governmental organizations in the region that help expand access of women from vulnerable groups to social, legal, medical and psychological services.

Our main partners are  CO “Positive Women”, CO All-Ukrainian Association of Drug-Addicted Women “VONA”, CO “VOLNa”, CO “100% Life”, Free Secondary Legal Aid, Ukrainian Helsinki Union for Human Rights, Probation (Пробація), Volyn Regional Center for Social and Psychological Assistance, CF “SHANS”, women’s organizations of the Coalition “Volyn 1325”, NGO “Creative Space”, Day Center for Social and Psychological Assistance.

Together with regional representatives of the NGOs "Positive Women", "VONA", "VOLNa", we are trying to achieve barrier-free access to medical, social and legal services for people from vulnerable groups, we are developing a joint strategy for responding to violations of their rights, we participate in educational events, campaigns, in particular, we traditionally support the actions "16 Days Against Violence", Human Rights Day, World HIV Day, etc.

In cases of violence, I refer women to NGOs that provide psychological assistance to women who have survived violence (VRCSPA, Day Center, Free Secondary Legal Aid). To ensure specific assistance and services for women living with HIV or drug addiction, I refer them to the CO "Positive Women", "VONA" and "VOLNa".

Together with women’s feminist organizations, we participate in events and campaigns at the regional level aimed at combating violence against women, increase the visibility of the community, represent the voice of women from vulnerable groups and convey their real needs.

Cooperation with NGOs in the region is based on trust, expertise and real needs of the community. It allows us not only to provide assistance to individual women, but also to influence systemic changes in approaches to providing services to sex workers.

Activists of the initiative group of the CO “Legalife-Ukraine” in Lutsk are members of Coalition 1325. Coalition 1325 is a regional association of public activists, authorities and police who work to ensure that women are protected and actively participate in security issues during war.

ND: Iryna, I am sincerely grateful to you for this deep and frank conversation. What would you say to those girls and boys who have just felt the power to change the world, but may still hesitate? What is your main advice for the beginning activists of our community?

Iryna: I am glad that new leaders and activists are joining the work of “Legalife-Ukraine”. Do not try to be “comfortable” to be heard. You will be heard when you are consistent, open and honest.

Start with small steps and don’t be afraid of mistakes and disappointments: they are part of the path of activism, not its end. Take care and take care of yourself, just as you take care of and help others.

Remember that activism is a marathon, not a sprint. Look for allies, helpers, women in your region who share your views. And most importantly, your experience has power and value. Even if it seems to you that you are “not ready yet and can’t handle it.”

Interview by Natalia Dorofeeva, CO “Legalife-Ukraine”