“WHEN A PERSON SEES NO WAY OUT, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO BE NEAR AND BELIEVE IN HIM”, Iryna Vorobyova, Kharkiv, Ukraine, part 2

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 action 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 outlook on life, 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 work and the protection of sex workers’ rights in Kharkiv.

Here is the second part, in which we talk with Irina about the changes that have taken place in the sex work market and in the lives of sex workers in Kharkiv city over the years of the war. How has the war affected working conditions and the safety of women? What new challenges and risks are they facing? And why, despite social stigma and economic hardship, is it important to uphold their right to safety, dignity and protection?

“The war has taken away their stability, and women have realised that sex work is the only thing that helps them stay afloat, at least to some extent. Today they continue to work, but without any hope of things improving, seeing it simply as a means of physical survival: to have something to eat, to pay the bills or to help their families,” – Iryna Vorobyova, Kharkiv city, Ukraine.

Natalia Dorofeeva, CO “Legalife-Ukraine” (ND): Iryna, how have sex workers’ personal lives, health and emotional well-being changed over the years of the war? It would also be interesting to hear about migration patterns: have many people left Kharkiv, and is there now a trend towards returning home?

Iryna Vorobyova: The war has changed absolutely everything, including the family lives of sex workers. Today it penetrates into every detail, destroying ties that seemed unbreakable. Many women have lost contact with their families not only because they’ve moved away, but also because of a deep emotional gap: conflicts and misunderstandings have intensified. Often, they find no support from those they considered closest. The war has brought hidden problems to the surface, causing families to fall apart and once-close relatives to become strangers.

The psychological state of the girls is now completely shattered. Many suffer panic attacks with every explosion, and this terror does not disappear even during a lull. Every loud sound is an alarm that takes away their peace. Yet there are also those who have ‘adapted’ to the constant adrenaline rush and the threat of missile strikes. This is frightening, because such acclimatisation is not normal — it means that the war has penetrated too deeply, and humanity is fading into the background before the cruel reality.

Daily life has become a constant struggle for basic stability: finding a safe place, hiding from shelling, and working in conditions of complete uncertainty. It’s not just about physical space, but also about a state of mind — the struggle not to lose oneself and to preserve at least something from your former life for yourself and your children.

As for migration, at first many people left the city in search of safety. But over time, quite a few young women have returned. And they go back not just for work, but for a sense of home, trying to rediscover at least a fragment of their former reality, even if the house itself and the world around it have changed.

When they return, they bring new experiences with them. Even when it seems that everything has settled down, the war leaves its mark on each of their souls — you can feel it in every word and every step. We carry on working and holding on, often without even realising the full weight of what we’ve been through, until we stop to look back. This is a path we did not choose, but one we must follow.

ND: How do sex workers manage to organise their work under martial law – amidst shelling, power cuts and curfews? It is also interesting to find out how the tightening of mobilisation measures and raids by the Territorial Center of Recruitment (TCR) are affecting the availability of services and the overall security situation in the industry?

Iryna: War mercilessly changes everything, even what might seem ‘stable’ — and the work of sex workers is no exception. Rocket attacks, power cuts, curfews — all of this brings its own terrifying changes to working conditions.

For many young women, these are not just obstacles, but a real ordeal. Shelling is the most terrifying thing of all, because no one knows when or where a rocket might strike. Everyone lives in constant fear, and work becomes even more dangerous.

Many young women set up special alert groups so they can at least be somewhat prepared for what might happen and be able to take cover. Everyone keeps an eye on the directions from which rockets are coming to work out whether it’s safe to go to work.

Electricity is another problem. If the power goes out, it becomes almost impossible to work. This makes the job much more difficult, especially when it comes to private meetings or providing services online. Without electricity, everything slows down, and there isn’t even basic comfort for clients or for the women themselves. This adds even more stress to an already difficult situation.

The curfew is a separate story altogether. It restricts opportunities to work, as many women simply cannot work when it is dangerous on the streets and there are movement restrictions in the cities themselves. Added to this are situations where you simply cannot leave the house after a certain time, or when everyone is trying to stay in shelters during the shelling.

Mobilisation also has its own impact. For those who haven’t yet been called up, this brings significant fear for the future. Due to TCR raids and checks, many girls try to avoid going out during mobilisation operations. Nobody wants to fall into the wrong hands, and this significantly restricts mobility and opportunities to work.

There really are fewer clients now — this is particularly true for those sex workers who are used to working on the streets or in public places. The number of people out and about on the streets has fallen significantly because of the war, and this is having a major impact on their earnings.

On the other hand, some women are still finding ways to adapt: they have started working via online platforms or are renting flats for private meetings. This isn’t easy either, but at least there remains some chance of stability.

In other words, the working conditions are extremely difficult, and it’s hard to even imagine how these women are managing to cope in this situation. Like everyone else, they want to be safe, they want to work, they want to support themselves and their loved ones, but the conditions in which they do this are terrible, and no one can be 100% sure of their future. It is a constant struggle for a normal life amidst a future of total uncertainty.

Photo: Individual consultations for sex workers on safety and health issues

ND: You mentioned that some women adapt over time and find alternative ways of providing services and finding clients. Could you tell us more about how this works in practice?

Iryna: Yes, the war has radically changed the way sex workers look for clients and adapt to the new conditions. Whereas previously many of the girls worked on the streets or in public, crowded places where they could meet potential clients, the situation has now changed.

With increased risks due to shelling, mobilisation, curfews and the general level of danger, women have begun actively switching to webcam work or using specialised websites to post profiles. This format allows them to work anonymously and without direct physical contact, which is considerably safer than working ‘on the streets’. However, webcam work often brings in less income, and not everyone is prepared for this particular way of working. Ultimately, although the shift online has been an important adaptation to the new circumstances, it still does not offer a 100 per cent guarantee of safety.

It is known that some women also rely on word of mouth – they simply place their trust in their regular clients, who bring in new ones, thereby sustaining their work. This gives a certain stability because, although there is not the same level of openness as before, the trust between the client and the worker allows for more private and regular connections to be formed.

Working with military personnel is a separate issue, and situations here vary greatly. Some women agree to such arrangements from time to time, as in the current circumstances this is an important source of income, particularly when other opportunities to earn a living have simply disappeared. There are also those who focus exclusively on this category of clients: they travel to meet them or arrange meetings near military bases and deployment sites. For them, this has become a familiar arrangement, which often remains their only means of survival.

However, not everyone is prepared for this kind of work. It is considerably more difficult than it seems at first glance. There are instances of aggressive behaviour or even violence on the part of military personnel, which makes many women wary of such assignments. Not everyone is prepared to put themselves at risk, even for the sake of money.

Overall, the changes have been immense. The nature of the work has changed because the usual ways of interacting with clients have become dangerous. Online platforms and webcams have helped some to continue working in these difficult conditions, although every woman still faces enormous stress and constant risks. But even in such circumstances, they adapt and seek new ways forward, because life and survival, unfortunately, demand it.

ND: Sex work is changing, so it’s interesting to hear how the profile of the client has transformed during this time — their status, purchasing power and attitude towards the women?

Iryna: The profile of the client has changed significantly. Before the war, they were men from a wide variety of professions and age groups, many of whom had a stable income and had been seeing the same women for years. Such long-term relationships gave the women a certain sense of security about the future.

The war, however, has brought about drastic changes. Due to economic instability, many men have become less financially secure, which has directly affected demand. The psychological climate has also changed: general tension and stress often affect clients’ attitudes towards the women — these have become more complex and sometimes tense. Not everyone is now ready to pay the usual amounts for services that were previously the norm.

As for prices, the situation varies. Some sex workers have managed to maintain their pre-war rates by working exclusively with regular clients who were happy with these terms. Others, however, have been forced to lower their rates due to falling demand or to agree to outcalls, despite the safety risks. At the same time, working with new categories of clients, particularly military personnel, has become a way for many to achieve at least some stability in their income, although for some women this remains a matter of personal conviction or safety.

Overall, incomes are extremely unstable at present. It involves constant adaptation and a search for opportunities to earn a living in circumstances where safety and dignity are often under threat.

But I am convinced that no matter how the market or prices change, every woman’s right to control her own work and to protection must remain intact. All these difficulties only emphasise just how important support and understanding are for sex workers right now.

Photo: A meeting with Karina Melikyan (Карина Мелікян),, regional representative of the CO ‘Positive Women Kharkiv’ (БО «Позитивні жінки Харків») regarding expanding access to services for women who are sex workers.

ND: Are financial pressures and financial instability causing women to agree to practices or conditions that they would have considered unacceptable before the war? Has the limit of what they are prepared to risk changed?

Iryna: Since the war began, many sex workers who previously avoided certain practices because of the risks have been forced to engage in them in order to survive. Circumstances have changed, and now they have to agree to things that previously seemed completely unacceptable.

One of the greatest risks today is travelling to combat zones and areas under active shelling. It is no longer a question of whether another client can be found if one turns them down — now it is a matter of being able to earn enough to survive until tomorrow. It’s a huge stress and a dangerous choice. You never know whether you’ll return alive, whether you’ll come under fire, or whether you’ll encounter an aggressive person who is dangerous both physically and psychologically. Despite these harsh realities, the women are forced to face such challenges every day.

For many, this is their only chance for at least some stability. They can no longer afford to be picky, because every day of the war is a struggle for basic necessities: a roof over their heads, food, medical care and support for their children or loved ones.

High-risk practices are not a choice, but a forced step. Every time a sex worker agrees to them, she is making an extremely difficult and painful decision. They accept such conditions because they understand that there is no other way out. And although this was never part of their plans, the war has changed the rules of the game. It does not ask how you want to live — it dictates the conditions under which you can simply stay alive.

Photo: a group safety session for sex workers, Kharkiv city, Ukraine

ND: How many women have tried to leave sex work since the start of the full-scale invasion, and have they managed to do so? It is also interesting to know whether there are ‘new faces’ – women who have never worked in this sector before, particularly internally displaced persons (IDPs) – and how this is affecting competition?

Iryna: At the start of the war, a great many women tried to leave this line of work. Some left for safer regions or abroad, hoping to start a new life. But the reality turned out to be cruel: psychological pressure and the need to survive in extreme conditions often left them with no choice. After a few months, and sometimes years, many were forced to return to the very thing they had been trying to escape.

The war took away their stability, and the women realised that sex work was the only thing helping them to stay afloat, at least to some extent. Today they continue to work, but without any hope of things improving, seeing it simply as a means of physical survival: to have something to eat, to pay the bills or to help their families.

At the same time, the war has radically changed the lives of those who previously had no connection to this sector. Today we see women who have only now been forced into sex work. Some need to feed their children; others cannot afford the rent for a new home; still others are battling serious illnesses whilst their normal lives lie in ruins. Whilst at the very start of the war this was a reaction to acute despair and fear, now, in the fifth year, it appears to be an attempt to adapt to a reality where no other income provides basic needs.

A particular challenge is the influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs). For displaced women who have lost everything – their homes, jobs and former social circles – this often becomes their only option. Although this flow has stabilised somewhat over time, competition remains fierce. Most try to work anonymously: they rent apartments or use dating sites, avoiding the streets or large groups.

It is important to understand: this is not a ‘business’ — it is a matter of human dignity and the right to life. Every woman who has found herself here because of the war deserves respect. They are not ‘bad’ or ‘wrong’; they are ordinary people in extremely difficult situations who continue to seek a way forward for themselves and their families. This is a fight for the right to be safe even when war is raging around us.

ND: Given the complexity of the situation our community finds itself in, it is important to discuss the practical side of our work. Iryna, what are the most pressing needs the women bring to you as the leader of the initiative group, and what kind of help can they receive?

Iryna: The women I work with face daily challenges that often go unnoticed by others. Most of them are in vulnerable circumstances: because of the war, they have lost their homes, jobs and social connections. Many of them lack the funds even for basic necessities. On top of economic instability, there are constant risks of violence, robbery, social stigma and a lack of places where one can find understanding and support.

As the leader of the initiative group, I coordinate the provision of humanitarian aid. We collect and distribute food, hygiene kits, warm items and clothing. Power banks and flashlights have become especially relevant during blackouts. For many young women, these are a real ‘lifeline’.

In addition to humanitarian support, we constantly conduct informational consultations. We discuss women’s rights, safety at work, disease prevention and access to free medicine. Many people are not even aware of their legal rights. Our meetings are, first and foremost, a space of trust where people are spoken to as equals, with respect and without arrogance.

Once, I met a woman who had moved to Kharkiv because the war approached her. She had serious health complaints and needed a referral to a neurologist, but the local health centre refused her because her health declaration had been signed in another region. This is a gross violation of the law, but vulnerable people are often simply ignored.

She was scared and confused. We went to the hospital together — to a ‘friendly’ doctor who works with our organisation. My role was simple but important: to be there for her and to be her voice where she had been ignored. In the end, she received both a consultation and a referral. She cried with relief, because she felt that her life and health mattered.

This incident has once again shown me the significance of my work. Sex workers are women who deserve protection and to be treated with dignity. If I can change their lives for the better even a little bit, I will do so.

ND: I know how pressing the issue of physical safety is for the girls. Tell me, what specific risks are coming to the fore today, and how do you, as the group’s leader, help the girls build their own system of protection?

Iryna: To be honest, safety for our girls isn’t just a topic of conversation. It’s something they face every day: on every shift, on every trip to a client. I see how they come to meetings, averting their eyes, how their hands sometimes tremble, even though they try to pretend everything is fine. But I know — they’re scared. They’re afraid for themselves, for their lives; afraid that someone might assault them, humiliate them, rob them or simply disappear without paying. And their biggest fear is that no one will come to their defence.

That’s why we’re constantly going over safety protocols. I explain how to deal with unreasonable clients, how to avoid dangerous situations, and what to do if things go wrong. We also discuss online risks: blackmail, dishonest clients and threats. I teach them the basic rules: how to vet people, how to leave an "emergency exit", and how to use code words with their friends as signals for help. It sounds simple, but for many of them, this is the first time someone has explained it to them without judgement, but with genuine care.

We meet regularly to discuss real-life cases. And I can see how, over time, the girls start to trust more, open up more and, most importantly, learn to protect themselves.

Photo: humanitarian support for sex workers, Kharkiv city, Ukraine

ND: Iryna, we talk a lot about internal changes within the community, but what about external influences? During the years of the war, has the level of stigma in society, the media or on social media decreased even slightly, or do prejudices still outweigh common sense?

Iryna: Unfortunately, I don’t yet see any fundamental changes in public attitudes — the stigma remains very palpable. Many people still view sex workers as ‘less valuable’ or even ‘unnecessary’ members of the community. This is evident everywhere: from comments on social media and media coverage to the attitudes within institutions that are supposed to guarantee the protection of human rights.

However, I believe we are moving in the right direction. Although these steps have not yet been taken on a large scale, each one is extremely important. Society is slowly beginning to realise that sex workers are people just like everyone else, with their own stories, dreams and needs. And they certainly deserve respect for their dignity.

We are working hard to change the discourse in the media and to show that these women and men are not ‘invisible’ figures who can be ignored or humiliated. Some progress is already visible, particularly amongst young people and in progressive social circles, where levels of understanding and empathy are significantly higher. However, this is still not enough to completely overcome the discrimination that accompanies the profession of sex work.

We need to continue to combine educational work with real legal and social support. Sex work is not a cause for condemnation, but one of many forms of labour. It is a difficult path, but we will not stop until we break these walls. It is important not to lose hope: sex workers have the right to safety, healthcare and a decent life – to everything that others often take for granted.

ND: It is clear that external pressure takes its toll on women and their mental well-being. What is causing the most concern today, and how do you help one another cope with this pressure? Tell us more about your support group: what topics do you discuss, and is there a story that has affected you the most?

Iryna: The sex workers I work with often face severe psychological distress. Constant fear, anxiety, stigma, violence, the need to lead a double life and the loss of support from loved ones — all of this creates enormous internal pressure. As a result, many develop chronic anxiety, emotional burnout, low self-esteem, panic attacks and even PTSD. Many carry this pain alone for years, fearing condemnation or misunderstanding.

To create a safe environment, we have organised a closed support group. At our meetings, the young women can speak freely and share their experiences. Over time, they begin to open up and talk about what they have kept bottled up inside for months. We discuss self-worth, setting personal boundaries, coping with stress and rebuilding inner resilience. In addition, I provide each young woman with the contact details for the ‘Legalife-Ukraine’ helpline, where they can receive professional psychological support.

Our meetings provide a sense of acceptance — sometimes it is right here, amongst women who do not judge, that the most important revelations take place. Once at a meeting, an event occurred that I took very close to my heart. One young woman, quiet and withdrawn, had spent a long time simply listening to the others. But suddenly she plucked up the courage to share what she had kept silent about for months. In a trembling voice, she recounted that she had been sexually assaulted by a military man. It was a deep trauma she had carried within her, because she felt that no one would believe her; on the contrary, she feared they would judge her.

As she spoke, a silence of deep empathy hung over the room. No one questioned her words. On the contrary — the girls came over, hugged her, and told her that it wasn’t her fault and that she had the right to heal. After that meeting, she said something that has stayed with me forever: ‘I felt that, for the first time, I had been heard… and that they weren’t afraid of my truth.’

That was the moment when I realised once again the importance of our work. Sometimes what is simply a conversation for one person is the first step towards finding herself again for another woman. That is precisely why I continue to create this space for emotions and the opportunity to be heard. For many, it becomes the first step towards recovery and the belief that they are not alone.

Photo: mutual support groups for sex workers, Kharkiv city, Ukraine

ND: I know that sex workers often feel lonely not only because of society’s prejudices, but also because of difficult relationships with their families. Many women admit that what frightens them most is the prospect of their loved ones finding out about their work or status. Why is this fear so intense, and what devastating consequences does it pose for women?

Iryna: Indeed, sex workers face a problem that society often doesn’t even consider — the constant fear that their ‘secret’ will be revealed to family, neighbours or colleagues. For many, the disclosure of information about their profession or a diagnosis, such as their HIV status, is devastating: it costs them their reputation, their relationships with loved ones and their sources of income.

Recently, a young woman from a village approached me. Her personal tragedy was caused by the betrayal of the person closest to her — her cousin. The young woman confided in her and told her about her HIV status, but instead of supporting her, her sister disclosed this information to her friends, neighbors and even her employer.

When she came to see me, she was extremely distressed. She kept repeating: ‘Everyone is judging me… I’m afraid to leave the house…’. Because of the harassment, she lost her job at a café. She wanted to leave sex work because of the pressure and shame, but found herself trapped: without family support and with no way of finding formal employment.

We were unable to get her reinstated at her previous job due to management’s prejudice, but I realised that the most important thing was to restore her sense of support. Together, we went to the job centre, filled in the paperwork and discussed job vacancies. We spent hours talking about her dreams and the things that bring her joy.

When she finally found a job she  was really happy. I saw relief, gratitude and self-belief in her eyes. She said: ‘If it weren’t for you, I would simply have given up…’. It wasn’t just social support, but a journey back to self-worth.

Such stories always remind me: the most important thing is to be there when a person is hurting, and to believe in them even when they themselves see no way out.

Interview by Natalia Dorofeeva, CO “Legalife-Ukraine”

In the final part of this interview, we will focus on the systemic legal violations faced by sex workers in Kharkiv, and discuss how paralegal support is becoming a key tool in the fight for their rights and justice. Don’t miss the next instalment of this candid conversation!