«It is not only women but also men who have entered the labour market» Olga Gonchar, Zhytomyr, 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.

Olga Gonchar (Ольга Гончар) — leader of the sex workers’ community of CO “LEGALIFE-UKRAINE” in Zhytomyr, Ukraine

Natalia Dorofeeva, CO “Legalife-Ukraine” (ND): Hello, Olga! 2025 was a difficult period and full of various events for all of us. What was it like for you personally? Which events became the most important for you?

Olga Gonchar: This year has actually been very difficult and incredibly intense. But despite everything, there were many good moments. The most pleasant thing is that I got married, and that gave me a lot of warmth and support. With renewed strength, I continue to work for our community, although times are truly very unstable and difficult right now.

The war is taking a heavy toll on everyone. Constant conflicts, people in all sorts of states – two women in our community have lost their sons in the war. The atmosphere in the city is heavy; tense situations often arise, even fights involving weapons. People are returning from the front with various injuries and traumas, and you can really feel it.

Our community is increasingly in need of psychological support. Although I’m not a psychologist, many people come to me specifically because they’re afraid or too shy to see a specialist. I’m very grateful to LEGALIFE-UKRAINE for the personal development training; it really helps me to be of use to the girls. I also find the psychology books I’ve already read very helpful, so that I can offer at least some support to everyone who trusts me.

But, you know, sometimes after hearing all these stories, it gets really tough. Everyone has their own path, and in our community, it’s often not an easy one. That’s why I’m learning to look after myself: I give myself time to rest, to find some peace and quiet, and to process my own emotions. And I’m continuing with my psychotherapy, because if I’m not in a good place myself, I won’t be able to be a source of support for others.

Olga with psychologist Olena Vertynska at a training session on burnout prevention for regional leaders of the CO ‘LEGALIFE-UKRAINE’

ND: Olga, I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage! I’m so happy for you; may your family life be filled with peace and love. It’s so important right now to have that support at home. Tell me, how has your initiative group changed over these four years of war? What has changed in your work and in the women themselves?

Olga: I try to form groups based on similar views and life situations. It’s important to me that the information is useful for everyone, and that the girls can freely discuss even the most painful topics: violence or childhood trauma.

This year, more male sex workers have joined our community. They are very afraid of their status being revealed; one of them even recently suffered physical violence because of his involvement with the community.

Many people need one-to-one meetings – simply to be listened to. During such consultations, the women often reveal terrible secrets. One woman told us that her father had raped her as a child. She told her mother about it, but it turned out that he had raped her too. They received no help.  For years, the woman lived with this pain, feeling like a ‘bad person’; she was withdrawn and had no one to talk to about it. It was only after our conversation that she began to feel better. Before meeting me, she had never had an STI test. We diagnosed the condition, and she is now looking for the funds to start treatment.

The girls can see that funding for many services is being cut, and they’re really worried about it. It’s absolutely vital for them that counselling, support, help with paperwork and medical care remain available. After all, treatment often requires additional examinations, which have to be paid for.

Everyone here is on their own journey, and if they need my help along the way, they get it. One of the participants has now been in rehabilitation for two months. Another has moved to a different city, fleeing a partner who was beating her; at first, my support and the ‘humanitarian aid’ we provided were crucial for her. Last month, two women gave birth. We gathered essential items for the babies, and at our meetings we now cover topics specifically for new mums. For example, the specifics of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) whilst breastfeeding, as many are forced to return to work very quickly to support their families.

I strive to ensure that every woman feels heard and valued – this is the foundation of my work. Sadly, tragedies do happen: one of the girls did not receive medical help in time and died at the start of the year. Others, having lost hope, start abusing alcohol or psychoactive substances. The girls come to me because they know that here they will receive real support, which is sometimes literally a matter of survival.

Humanitarian aid for sex workers from the CO ‘Legalife-Ukraine’, Zhytomyr, 2025

ND: Olya, we have now been living through the realities of a major war for four years. In your view, what has changed most in public life? Has society’s attitude towards sex work and people in our community changed?

Olga: Now, in the fifth year of the war, I can see that the atmosphere in society is becoming even more tense. Whereas in the early years people were more united and stuck together, now fatigue, exhaustion and constant stress are very noticeable. Problems are increasing, and the strength to react constructively is decreasing. This affects everything: from everyday communication to attitudes towards vulnerable groups.

I’m actively involved in community life: I organise events for the police, sit on coordination councils and attend specialist meetings. This allows me to see clearly how society is changing. Young people are generally more open to dialogue, better informed and less prone to stigmatisation. For the older generation, however, it is more difficult: many still harbour deep-seated prejudices, fears, or simply a reluctance to talk about topics that should have been discussed openly long ago.

Attitudes towards sex workers remain complex. Unfortunately, the stigma runs very deep. Rather than easing it, the war has in many cases only exacerbated it. People are tense and on edge, and some of them are looking for someone to blame for all their troubles. Vulnerable groups are often the first to face a wave of condemnation. Yet there is a silver lining: part of society has become more aware, better informed about rights and safety, and understands that no one should be a target for devaluation.

Over the years, I’ve faced hate myself. It happens both online and in real life. Sometimes people write offensive comments; sometimes they say things to my face like: “Why are you doing this?”, “Let them do whatever they want, but don’t talk about it publicly”, or completely inappropriate things that reveal only one thing – a lack of knowledge and respect. To be honest, it’s exhausting. But I’ve learnt to filter things out and not let other people’s prejudices affect my work. If you react emotionally to hate, it only grows. It’s better to stay level-headed and talk about facts, rights, and humanity.

At the moment, the state of society is indeed very tense and fragile. But I continue my work because I understand that it is needed – by people, by the community, and by the city. If we do not talk about rights, safety and respect, the situation will not improve on its own.

Providing assistance to a sex worker in renewing her passport, Zhytomyr, 2025

ND: And what major changes do you see in the sex work sector? How has the nature of the work itself changed over the years?

Olga: Over these four years of war, a great deal has changed in the lives of sex workers, and this is evident literally every day. Comparing the start of the war to now, there are several clear trends.

Now, some sex workers have a main job and use sex work as a source of additional income: they go out onto the streets or work remotely – via phone or the internet. Especially as the weather turns colder, most people switch to online services, as standing on the street becomes dangerous and difficult. This has been influenced by both the war and economic instability.

It is not only women who have entered the labour market, but men too. Men have indeed started to enter sex work more frequently, but they face a different problem – they are very afraid of their status being revealed, so they remain as anonymous as possible, working mainly online and through private channels.

Although there are fewer IDPs now than there were at the start of the war, people are still on the move. Some sex workers travel to other cities to earn money and then return. For example, our girls often go to Zaporizhzhia; they pay better there, there is more work and more clients. This has become something of a ‘tradition’ in recent months.

The overall number of sex workers is not falling, and in some places is increasing. Due to the war, job losses and general financial instability, some women who were not involved in this work before the war have been forced to consider sex work as a temporary source of income.

There are also those who have returned to work after a break simply because there is no other way out.

At a meeting of the Regional Coordination Council on HIV Prevention, Zhytomyr, 2025

ND: Is the impact of mobilisation processes on the sex work market being felt today: who are the main clients now, and how has this affected workers’ earnings and safety?

Olga: Most of the clients at the moment are serving military personnel, those undergoing treatment, or men with reservations. So clients don’t usually have any major issues with the TCC. However, during periods of heightened checks in the city, activity drops sharply. This is particularly noticeable among male sex workers: they are often afraid to leave the house and are in a state of constant stress.

As for payment, it has nominally increased, but there are nuances. Many women have regular clients, and those currently undergoing rehabilitation do not always have the funds to pay immediately. Sometimes their colleagues pay for them, transferring money to the woman’s card. So despite the formal rise in prices, instances where the service is provided on credit or remains unpaid are common.

Overall, there is a critical shortage of money, as most sex workers have large families. The number of clients is falling, the cold weather is a hindrance, and the military’s plans can change at a moment’s notice. Furthermore, pressure from the police in the form of raids intensifies periodically.

Group consultations with sex workers on rights protection and health, Zhytomyr, 2025

ND: Olya, what dangers do sex workers most often face today and what safety issues do you discuss during the consultations?

Olga: Due to the general tension in the country, economic instability and mobilisation processes, members of the community are increasingly facing aggression and disrespect. There has been an increase in cases of domestic violence, threats and blackmail, not only from clients or partners, but even from random passers-by. The situation is compounded by a fear of approaching the police due to previous negative experiences or biased attitudes on their part.

As a leader, I focus on providing maximum support to the girls. We hold information sessions where we work together to develop clear action plans: how to behave in the face of aggression, how to properly document threats, where to turn for urgent help, and how to keep oneself safe whilst working ‘on the phone’ or online. We devote some sessions entirely to analysing real-life crisis stories, so that we can develop self-defence skills based on others’ experiences.

For example, there was a specific case where a girl was being stalked by an aggressive client who was trying to find out her home address. Together, we planned new routes, blocked the stalker’s contact details, and I personally helped her draft and file a report with the police. When the community sees this kind of practical help, rather than just talk, the level of trust grows – the girls themselves start to initiate discussions on topics that frighten them.

A separate major area of our work is medical safety. This involves not only protection against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) through the correct use of contraception and lubricants, but also rules of conduct during encounters. As clients are often intoxicated, we teach the girls never to consume alcohol or drugs with them. Unfortunately, the reality is harsh: recently, one of the girls took a pill offered by a client, after which she immediately felt unwell. Fortunately, the man did not abandon her, but this incident provided an opportunity to review the protocols for dealing with overdoses and to train the community in the use of naloxone – a life-saving antidote for opioid poisoning.

Another positive development is that girls are more likely to seek post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) more frequently. They are now aware of the ‘golden window’ of 72 hours following exposure. However, we cannot stress this enough: PEP is not a cure-all for all infections. It is critically important to understand this, as due to financial hardship, young women still sometimes agree to work without a condom in exchange for extra payment.

Support and testing for sex workers at the NGO “Perspective”, Zhytomyr, 2025

ND: And what about threats not from strangers, but from loved ones or even law enforcement officers? How does the system respond to this? Can a sex worker count on police protection in cases of violence?

Olga: The situation is complex. On the one hand, many police officers are open to dialogue when approached. For example, I worked with Maria Zub (Марія Зуб), the former head of the domestic violence unit – she provided professional advice to us in difficult cases. However, in practice, women often remain defenceless against their abusers.

A typical example: a conflict between a sex worker and her mother that escalated into a fight. When the police arrived, the mother began to manipulate the situation, shouting that her daughter was a “prostitute and a drug addict”. The police believed the mother rather than the victim. As a result, instead of being protected, the girl was fined for allegedly making a false call. Although we contacted the police office to explain the situation, societal prejudices are often stronger than the law: if you are from the community, you are automatically presumed guilty, and violence against you is deemed justified.

Domestic violence has risen sharply recently, yet protection mechanisms are failing. One young woman was constantly beaten by her partner, who worked in the penal system. He exploited his position, assuring her that ‘nothing would happen to him’ and that her children would be taken away from her|. I saw terrible wounds on her body, but she was afraid to file a complaint.

On the other hand, there is also a problem with the system itself: the police are sometimes reluctant to take on such cases because the women, under pressure or out of fear, often withdraw their complaints. It is a vicious circle where, due to the authorities’ lack of seriousness and the victims’ fear, violence goes unpunished.

Olga runs training sessions for police officers on reducing stigma and protecting the rights of vulnerable communities, Zhytomyr, 2025

ND: Olga, could you please tell us how the community’s needs regarding our services have changed over the past four years? What are the current requests from sex workers, and what services do you provide in response?

Olga: The economic and social problems faced by sex workers have become significantly more acute. Prices are rising for literally everything: from food to transport. Rent is very expensive, and it is difficult for the women to pay for utilities on their own. Those who live outside the city spend a lot of money on travel, which sometimes makes commuting to work simply unprofitable.

Then there is the issue of children: getting a child ready for school this year was incredibly expensive, and many cannot cope with these costs without additional support. Because of this, requests for help come in constantly. As the leader of the initiative group, I try to support the girls as much as possible: I offer advice almost every day via messaging apps, by phone or during face-to-face meetings.

The girls trust me specifically, so even when they need a psychologist, they don’t always want to discuss their problems with strangers. Some even worry that their phone calls might be tapped.

There was a recent case: a girl had a baby, but her husband died five years ago. Due to legal complications, she cannot register the child under the biological father’s name, obtain a birth certificate or receive state benefits. We are trying to sort this out together. Our resources are limited, and we often have to take on work that isn’t part of our standard service package, but I simply cannot refuse to help, because human lives are at stake.

At the moment, the girls are in desperate need of humanitarian vouchers. Previously, we received food, hygiene and baby care vouchers from our partners – these were incredibly valuable to the community. The girls are constantly asking if such support will be available again.

Monthly humanitarian support for the community from CO ‘Legalife-Ukraine’, Zhytomyr, 2025

ND: Recently, our organisation has been paying particular attention to the psychological well-being of the community. What are the most difficult mental challenges the girls face in the fifth year of the war, and how do you help them overcome crisis states?

Olga: Psychological problems among sex workers have worsened significantly during the war: anxiety, exhaustion and constant fear for themselves and their children have increased. But the most difficult aspect is the rise in cases of domestic and partner violence. Such situations are critically complex, so I regularly hold themed meetings and individual consultations.

Recently, a tragic incident occurred that shocked the entire community. A young woman came to speak to me; we talked at length about her psychological state and the situation at home. Just a few days later, I saw on the news that she had stabbed her partner to death.

After that, I started receiving a flood of calls from other girls – this incident served as a mirror reflecting their own pain. In our group sessions, we have started to discuss stress responses and the limits of resilience even more actively, and to look for safe ways out of crisis situations before it is too late. This helps the girls feel that they are not alone and that there is a place where they will be understood without judgement.

There are also women among us whose sons have been killed at the front. They need special, long-term support. I tried to redirect them to other public organizations that work with the families of the fallen, but, unfortunately, due to the nature of their work, our girls do not always feel comfortable there. That is why we also take on this burden of support and acceptance.

Accompanying sex workers to medical facilities, Zhytomyr, 2025

ND: Olga, you also work as a paralegal. What specific offences and in which areas do sex workers most frequently encounter? What kind of assistance do you provide in defending their rights?

Olga: As a paralegal, I constantly document violations of our community’s rights by healthcare workers, social services, the police and the military. When rights are violated in these fundamental areas, people simply lose trust in the system: sex workers stop going to doctors even when in severe pain, which puts their lives at risk.

When it comes to the medical sector, stigma and unprofessionalism are the main barriers. I decided to personally check how the National Health Service of Ukraine’s (NHSU) package of free services works at a state polyclinic. I went to my General Practitioner (GP) to be tested for HIV, hepatitis C and B, and syphilis. Even when I first enquired, I felt under psychological pressure: the nurse started trying to talk me out of getting tested, as if it were something shameful. The procedure itself was carried out with gross violations: the staff did not know how to use the lancing device, blood spilled down my arm, and the results were delivered in just 7 minutes, even though the instructions state that interpreting the test takes 20–30 minutes. For someone who is afraid of the system, such an experience would be the last straw – they would never return for help.

A separate category of violations concerns physical safety and sexual violence. A recent incident involved ‘stelsing’ (the unauthorised removal of a condom during intercourse. A military client violated a prior agreement, exposing the woman to the risk of HIV infection. As the woman was breastfeeding her baby, this posed a threat to two lives. She was afraid to go to hospital, but following my consultation and support, she received post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in time.

Another shocking case occurred recently: a woman was hit by a car on the road. Upon learning that the victim was a sex worker, the doctors, instead of carrying out a full examination (given that she had a head injury), simply stitched her up and forced her to sign a waiver of any claims. At 10 o’clock in the morning, she came to me with a head injury and bloodstained clothes. This constitutes a refusal to provide proper medical care and the concealment of a crime. It is appalling and should not be allowed to happen.

In some cases, I refer clients to specialist organisations, depending on their needs. The range of requests is extremely wide: from registering children’s birth certificates to providing legal support when applying for maintenance. Our community is often isolated: due to a lack of access to the internet or digital services, women do not even have basic information about where to turn.

They feel rejected by society, so my role is often to become a reliable source of information for them and help restore contact with government agencies.

Working meeting with partners from the Red Cross and the NGO ‘Perspective’ on supporting the sex workers’ community, Zhytomyr, 2025

ND: It’s clear that it’s difficult to meet all the community’s needs on our own. Tell us who the key partners are for your initiative group today and how this collaboration helps resolve the crisis situations the women face?

Olga: My work would be impossible without close cooperation with partners. We have created a network that allows us to respond promptly to any challenges. We are based at the NGO “Perspective”, which has been operating in Zhytomyr since 2006. This is our foundation for counselling and prevention.

We work closely with the NGOs ‘Volna’ and ‘VONA’, with whom we jointly help women with substance use disorders in the most difficult crisis situations.

Our strategic partner is the Zhytomyr Regional Dermatology and Venereology Centre. Doctors often see the girls free of charge and without referrals, which is the only safe way to get help. We are also in direct contact with the medical staff at the Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise "Regional Medical Specialized Center" of the Zhytomyr Regional Council: I can get advice over the phone regarding a client’s risky behaviour and quickly refer her for ART or PrEP.

Thanks to the ‘Wings’ («Крила») project, our girls have received compensation for paid medical services (ultrasound scans, tests), which would otherwise have been unaffordable for them. The Red Cross has provided hygiene products, whilst the CO ‘Positive Women’ offers vouchers and support to HIV-positive women.

As the number of requests from pregnant women and women from crisis families is increasing, we have started working with the NGO ‘Mission to Ukraine’ (НУО «Місія в Україну»). They provide humanitarian aid: recently, one of the women even received a baby stroller, without which it would have been simply impossible to go out with her baby.

ND: Thank you, Olya, for this conversation. And finally, what advice would you give to colleagues who are just starting out in social work or activism with vulnerable communities?

Olga: The work we do is actually very hard, but at the same time extremely valuable. Our community is very closed and vulnerable, so the support that our girls receive means the world to them. I often hear words of gratitude simply for the fact that we exist and that they can turn to us at all. Society often turns its back on such people, creating new and ever-greater barriers, which leaves them on the margins of society. It would seem that basic needs, accessible to everyone, remain out of reach for our community due to stigma, discrimination and previous negative experiences. Unfortunately, for many, it is easier to turn away from such people than to offer them real help.

That is why I wish my colleagues resilience and support from our partners. Thank you for your future contribution to the lives of those who are so often, unfortunately, overlooked.

Interview by Natalia Dorofeeva, CO “Legalife-Ukraine”