Daria’s Journey: Overcoming Trauma and Stigma as a Survivor of War Crimes

The Struggles of Daria: A Survivor’s Journey

After Daria fled her Russian-occupied village and sought refuge in western Ukraine, she found herself wandering the streets in a state of restlessness for weeks. Every time fatigue would set in, she would take a seat on park benches, sharing her harrowing experiences with anyone willing to listen — even complete strangers. “I felt an overwhelming need to tell my story, but I found no one to confide in,” recalled Daria, a 32-year-old illustrator. “I couldn’t bring myself to share this burden with my family, and I was isolated in a new town without friends. I had to navigate this trauma on my own.”

Daria recounted that in March 2022, in her small village of Havronshchyna, situated about 30 miles from Kyiv, she was subjected to the unimaginable: she was raped by Russian soldiers not once, but twice. This area has become known for a wide range of alleged war crimes, including heinous acts of sexual violence, which have been meticulously documented by both Ukrainian authorities and international media.

For two long years following her assault, Daria grappled with intense feelings of shame and isolation. The weight of her experience made it nearly impossible for her to confide in her father about the trauma she had endured. Moreover, she found it challenging to maintain intimacy with her partner, as the emotional scars ran deep. Yet, during a recent interview, Daria expressed her readiness to share her story, driven by a desire to dismantle the stigma surrounding sexual assault and to facilitate healing for both herself and other survivors.

Her story resonates profoundly with countless other Ukrainians who have endured similar fates. Away from the visible battlefields of Europe’s largest conflict in 80 years, authorities and aid organizations have reported a staggering number of women, men, and children who have suffered sexual assault at the hands of Russian soldiers. These individuals are now in a relentless struggle to rebuild their lives amidst the chaos.

Despite facing one of the most challenging periods since the onset of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, marked by minimal progress on the battlefield, Ukraine’s government has undertaken significant measures to document and prosecute cases of sexual violence. This commitment reflects a broader effort to address the traumas inflicted on its citizens and seek justice for the victims.