“Officials’ personal stereotypes must not block on citizens’ rights”, Iryna Vorobyova, part 3

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.

This time we talked with Iryna Vorobyova (Ірина Воробйова) — the leader of the sex workers’ initiative group in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Iryna joined our team in May 2025. Since then, she has made a significant contribution to the development of the initiative group and the support of the sex workers’ community in Kharkiv. It was extremely important for us to hear about her experiences and to get to know Iryna better — her worldview, her inner strength and what motivates her.

There were so many questions that we decided to divide the interview into three key areas: Iryna’s personal story and life journey, the current needs and services for the community, and paralegal activities and the protection of sex workers’ rights in Kharkiv.

Now we bring to your attention the third part of the conversation, dedicated to paralegal assistance and the protection of sex workers’ rights. Together with Iryna, we analyse real-life cases of combating stigma within state institutions, discuss partnerships with civil society organisations and seeking support from the business sector. We also discuss what inspires us not to give up, how to join forces, and why, in the fight for human dignity, no detail is too small.

Natalia Dorofeeva, CO “Legalife-Ukraine” (ND): Hello, Iryna, and welcome to the third and final part of our interview. In our previous conversations, we discussed in detail the economic challenges, military realities, psychological state and social stigma that sex workers face on a daily basis. However, there is another crucial aspect — the legal one.

I know you also work as a paralegal. Drawing on your own observations and experience, could you tell us in which specific areas sex workers most frequently encounter rights violations and discrimination, and what particular problems do women most often come to you with?

Iryna Vorobyova: Sex workers, unfortunately, often face serious rights violations and discrimination in various areas. Most frequently, this occurs in sectors such as healthcare, social protection, law enforcement, and in matters relating to employment.

These systems, which are supposed to ensure safety and protection for all citizens, often become sources of additional problems for sex workers.

In the healthcare sector, the situation is, unfortunately, one of the most difficult. Sex workers are repeatedly denied access to or the provision of medical services. For example, some doctors refuse to register a patient simply because they work in the sex industry, are HIV-positive or have a drug dependency. Often, people in need of help are denied consultations or referrals for medical examinations. These rights violations pose a threat to life, as sex workers are a particularly high-risk group. And not only because of the specifics of sexual contacts, but also because of the constant threats of physical and sexual violence, systematic stigma, hazardous working conditions and vulnerability to blackmail. Denying them medical or legal assistance under such circumstances means deliberately expose their lives to even greater danger.

The situation is no less critical in the area of social protection. As many sex workers are employed informally, they often lack access to social benefits, pensions or even basic social safeguards. One of the most common scenarios is the refusal to apply for a survivor’s pension or social benefits due to a lack of official documentation relating to their work.

As a result, people are experiencing a crisis and do not receive the necessary support from the state. This adds even more stress and a sense of hopelessness to the lives of those who are already in difficult circumstances.

But perhaps the most difficult situations arise in interaction with law enforcement agencies. The police and law enforcement officers often act not as protectors but as aggressors towards sex workers. I am frequently approached with stories of them being detained for violations related to their profession, or of them becoming victims of violence and humiliation at the hands of police officers. They are threatened with having their work exposed to their families or the public, and they are blackmailed.

What’s more, it is often precisely because of their profession that they become targets of harassment, constant checks and unfounded searches. Such treatment is a complete disregard for human dignity.

Sex workers often face attacks from neighbours or acquaintances when their profession becomes known. In such cases, they may be subjected to threats, psychological abuse or even physical violence.

In such situations, sex workers often do not know who to turn to for help, as they do not believe the system can protect them. That is why they come to me — often seeing me as their only source of trust, support and real protection.

All these cases — from barriers in healthcare facilities and bureaucratic obstacles to social benefits, to abuse and threats from law enforcement officers — add up to a solid wall of powerlessness and discrimination. It is incredibly painful to witness how people are forced to fight for their basic rights every day simply because of their profession or illness.

A deep-seated stigma still prevails in society, preventing people working in the sex industry from living peacefully and without fear. These are not merely isolated incidents, but a deep-rooted systemic problem that requires decisive change at all levels – from government policy and legislation to a rethinking of social norms. We must work tirelessly to ensure that sex workers have equal access to medical, social and legal support, so that everyone in this sector can live freely, without fear of pressure, persecution or being denied protection.

ND: Tell us about the most interesting or most challenging case you’ve dealt with in the past year. What was the issue, how did you resolve it, who helped, and how did it all turn out in the end?

Iryna Vorobyova: One of the most difficult and emotionally charged cases occurred this year, when a woman approached me following the death of her husband. She had tried to apply to the Pension Fund for a survivor’s pension for her young son, but came to see me in utter despair.

Her application was simply rejected — without any written decision or official reason. As it turned out later, one of the fund’s employees knew her personally and decided that, because of what he considered to be ‘immoral’ work, she did not deserve assistance. The woman was humiliated and thrown out of the office simply because she was a sex worker.

She was in shock. She had lost her husband, was left alone with her child, and the state system, represented by a single official, had simply trampled on her rights. I realised that we had to fight not only for payments, but also for human dignity.

First, I explained her rights to her and suggested involving lawyers to lodge a formal appeal. However, she was so exhausted and scared that she categorically refused to go to court — she was afraid of further humiliation and public scrutiny.

So I decided to go with her to the Pension Fund in person. We managed to change the specialist, transferring the case to an impartial employee and submitted all the documents in writing for registration, as required by law. I was by her side at every stage to ensure she felt supported and protected.

As a result, we managed to break through this bureaucratic and human barrier: the issue was resolved, and the child received the pension she deserved.

This story is a very telling example of how officials’ personal stereotypes can block citizens’ basic rights. It showed just how deep-rooted prejudice can be, even among those who are supposed to serve the people. And although such cases are exhausting, it is such small victories that give us the strength to keep working. They prove that it is worth fighting for your rights to the very end, even when the system seems invincible.

ND: Do you think sex workers have the potential and capacity to resolve these issues and defend their rights on their own, without involving paralegals or organisations? What actually prevents them from doing so without outside help?

Iryna Vorobyova: I am deeply convinced that sex workers would have all the strength and resources to defend themselves independently if we lived in a different society. If there weren’t such a high level of discrimination, indifference and prejudice around us, and if every woman in the community felt clearly that her rights and dignity mattered just as much as those of other citizens, outside intervention simply wouldn’t be necessary.

However, our reality is completely different. The main obstacle here is not a lack of desire or reason, but fear and systemic pressure. Most women simply do not have access to high-quality legal information: they do not know the algorithms of actions, do not understand which laws protect them, and where to turn in case of arbitrariness. But even those who know their rights are often afraid to take the first step. In their experience, any attempt to lodge a complaint with an official or a law enforcement officer results in even greater humiliation, pressure or exposure to their loved ones.

That is precisely why our work as paralegals is not just about drafting applications or accompanying clients to government offices. It is primarily about creating an emotional foundation. We become the shield that gives a person a sense of security and restores their belief in their own worth. It is almost impossible to stand up alone to the bureaucratic machine, which views you through the lens of stereotypes from the outset — this requires immense courage and an understanding of the intricacies of the system, which a traumatised young woman often simply lacks.

I sincerely believe that as society and legislation evolve, this situation will change. The time will come when sex workers will have equal rights and will be able to confidently defend them without our constant support. And I will be truly happy when my role as a paralegal becomes unnecessary, and every person in the community feels like a fully-fledged and protected member of society.

But until that day comes, we must continue our work: to be there for them, to provide the tools for self-protection, and to nurture a sense of self-worth in every young woman, so that her voice is finally heard.

ND: Who else in Kharkiv is helping sex workers overcome these challenges, apart from the CO ‘Legalife-Ukraine’? With which organizations do you cooperate, in what areas, and what specific examples of such interaction are there already in your practice?

Iryna Vorobyova: In fact, the support network for sex workers in our city is still quite a small circle, and it is not nearly as well-developed as we would all like it to be. However, the situation is gradually improving: more and more non-governmental and humanitarian organisations are beginning to realise the importance of this work and are gradually getting involved in bringing about systemic change.

Today, I am actively collaborating with several partners who previously had not even thought about working with the sex workers’ community or providing them with targeted support. These include, in particular, the CO ‘Divchata’ and CO ‘Chysty Arkush’ (ГО «Дівчата», ГО «Чистий аркуш»), the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and a number of other initiatives. It is very valuable that, over time, they have become much more open to this issue: they have cast aside outdated social stereotypes, overcome their own fears and prejudices, and begun to offer real, practical support.

For example, together with the Danish Refugee Council, we planned and organised a large-scale group information session for young women. This was an extremely important meeting about online safety — how to protect one’s personal data, how to recognise scammers and extortionists, and how to minimise risks when dealing with online clients. In the current context of war and ongoing instability, this topic has become critically important. Criminals and fraudsters have become more active, and it is often the internet that becomes the place where they attempt to exploit women’s vulnerable situation.

But the significance of such collaboration extends far beyond mere consultations, the distribution of information materials or legal advice. Far more important is the fact that these organisations have begun to pay close attention to the human dimension of the problem: emotional support, the inviolability of human rights and the active fight against discrimination at a local level. Their attitudes are changing before our very eyes, and they are beginning to see sex workers not as an abstract label or ‘people in an immoral profession’, but as ordinary women with their own life stories, their own problems, aspirations and equal rights to protection.

For me, this synergy symbolises change in our society. It proves that we are now able to discuss the rights of sex workers openly, professionally and without moralising. Even if the number of such friendly organisations in Kharkiv is still small, I see the main thing: partners are beginning to realise that there is no place for discrimination in modern Ukraine, and that professional support is a fundamental step on the path to real social transformation.

Thanks to this partnership, it is not only the local situation in the city that is changing, but also the general psychological climate. The women in the community no longer feel so afraid or ashamed to seek help, as they can see that they are backed by a number of professionals who openly declare: ‘You are important; your rights matter.’

And together with our partners, we will continue to work to ensure that such support becomes not a rare exception, but the natural norm in society — where every person has the right to help, respect and protection without ostracism or prejudice. When I see such changes in people’s attitudes, I feel a genuine sense of hope that inspires me to keep moving forward.

ND: And if we look beyond the public sector and non-governmental organisations, in your opinion, is it realistic today to involve private business, entrepreneurs or philanthropists in supporting sex workers? Are they open to such collaboration, and what challenges might arise along the way?

Iryna Vorobyova: I sincerely believe that nothing is impossible in our life, even when certain ideas seem utterly fantastical or unachievable.

Yes, engaging with the business community in our field is challenging at present, and many barriers seem practically insurmountable. However, I am convinced that there is always a chance for change — even in the most difficult times, it is possible to find common ground and gain genuine support from private individuals, small businesses or socially conscious entrepreneurs. It is a difficult path, but I am ready to prove that small, targeted initiatives can be built upon to create large-scale opportunities to help the community.

Of course, for most sex workers, the very idea of openly approaching a private entrepreneur or a commercial company for help is scary. And the issue here is not just the women’s personal fears or a lack of experience in such communication. The main reason is that, for the vast majority of Ukrainian businesses, the topic of sex work remains a strict social taboo, viewed solely through the lens of outdated prejudices and reputational risks. Companies fear public condemnation, are worried about their client base, or simply distance themselves from this topic as ‘too sensitive’.

But if we don’t take the first steps, if we don’t try to knock on these doors and give business owners a chance to reconsider their views, the situation will never move forward. Whatever is happening around us, it is absolutely vital not to give up. Of course, not every business or private benefactor is prepared to make their resources available to support sex workers. However, in any sector, there are always people with a deeper sense of social responsibility, a high degree of empathy and basic humanity — those who are able to see a person first and foremost as an individual with their own rights, rather than judging them by their professional status or line of work.

If we systematically seek out such opportunities, expand our partnerships and persistently explain our needs, we will certainly make progress. After all, this is not merely a question of financial or material assistance from the business sector — it is a global question of human solidarity, corporate social responsibility and society’s readiness for open dialogue.

It is absolutely vital that we continually give ourselves and society this chance. If there is even the slightest chance that a local business, private clinic or law firm will show a desire to help, provide a discount, conduct a free consultation or allocate resources — we must try and take these steps again and again.

Any profound transformation in society is a long and complex process that is never without its challenges. But it is worth every minute spent on it. Even if it sometimes feels as though yet another attempt has come to nothing and the business has turned us down, I know for certain that every such approach is another important step towards sex workers being discussed in new contexts. It is a step towards the community finally receiving the recognition, protection and legal support it deserves as a full and equal part of our society.

ND: Iryna, looking back at all these systemic violations, discrimination and daily dangers that you’ve described, what changes – in the laws, in the system or in people’s minds – need to take place for sex workers to feel truly protected?

Iryna Vorobyova: First and foremost, I sincerely hope that in the future we will finally succeed in overcoming the deep-rooted discrimination against sex workers and in building an effective system for their safety and social support.

Every person, without exception, deserves respect, equal treatment and the opportunity to live without a constant threat to their health or life. For the community, this issue goes far beyond the purely professional sphere — it is, above all, a question of fundamental human dignity.

I very much hope that the time will come when women can freely seek medical or legal assistance without fear of humiliation, condescension or public exposure from professionals.

Sex workers are constantly at increased risk of violence, psychological trauma and legal insecurity. And the state system must finally turn its attention to them — acting as a protector and partner, rather than an instrument of punishment or pressure because of their chosen work or difficult life circumstances.

To achieve this, we need to systematically dismantle entrenched social stereotypes, combat stigmatisation at all levels, and implement comprehensive state and community support programs. It is extremely important to develop and implement initiatives that encompass not only sex workers themselves, but also their families and children. After all, behind the scenes in this sector there are very often mothers who are forced to sacrifice their own peace of mind, and sometimes even their personal safety, in order to provide for their loved ones.

Behind every such story lies a unique individuals with their own experiences, aspirations and dreams of a peaceful future. Sex workers are full members of our society who have exactly the same constitutional rights to a safe, dignified life without condemnation and discrimination as all other citizens of Ukraine.

That is why our joint fight for these rights is so important. This is not just a test for the community — it is a test of our entire society’s maturity, empathy and humanity. It shows how we treat people who find themselves in difficult or vulnerable circumstances, and whether we are prepared to lend a helping hand and protect their right to a dignified and safe life.

ND: Thank you so much, Iryna, for this incredibly sincere, profound and important conversation. We have a traditional closing question for all our female leaders, so I’ll ask you too: what advice or words of encouragement would you give to other activists who are just starting out on their journey in human rights advocacy and community support?

Iryna Vorobyova: My most important advice for aspiring activists is to stay yourself. Every person has their own unique strength and depth, and it is precisely this authenticity that makes your struggle genuine and effective.

If you feel that the fight for the rights of sex workers is your mission, you will be able to overcome any obstacles. Sometimes you’ll face judgement, a lack of understanding, and occasionally even aggression. However, if you remain true to your conscience and committed to your cause, this sincerity will become your most powerful tool.

Do not be afraid to take that first step, even when the task seems too vast or overwhelming. Great transformations always begin with small actions, and even a single passionate voice can shake the system.

For the sake of those who have no voice and face violence and discrimination every day, it is worth taking action. And if you feel lonely or discouraged on this path, know that there are people who have the same beliefs and are also eager for change. Find them, join forces with them — and you will see that your determination has the power to change the world.

We all have different experiences and our own stories, but it is important to remember: in the fight for human dignity, no effort is too small. Remember: everyone who tries to make this world a safer and kinder place matters immensely. Act not only for your own self-fulfilment, but also for the sake of those whose fate depends on your support.

Your determination, your energy, your sincerity — these are precisely the driving forces that save lives and break down stereotypes. Your fight for the rights of sex workers, for their dignity and for their safety, is an important part of a greater cause. Every step you take is already a victory. Do not hesitate; trust yourself and believe in the power of your own ideals.

Interview by Natalia Dorofeeva, CO “Legalife-Ukraine”