'Praying for death': Survivors uncover horrors of rape as a weapon of war in Ukraine
www.abc.net.au
There is growing evidence rape is being used as a widespread weapon of war in the Ukraine, but it's still rare for survivors to speak out. A growing network of women are sharing their stories in the hope to seek justice for conflict-related sexual violence and uncover the extent of these hidden crimes.

[WARNING: This story contains details that may distress some readers.]

There is evidence that rape and other forms of sexual violence has been used as a widespread weapon of war since Russia invaded eastern Ukraine a decade ago.

And as the full-scale war in Ukraine reached the two-year mark on Saturday, it’s believed thousands of civilians across the country may have experienced conflict-related sexual assault.

But due to stigma, trauma, and difficulties documenting the atrocities, only a handful of survivors have officially spoken out.

The UN has accused Russia of using rape as a “military strategy” in Ukraine with reports of hundreds of cases of sexual violence against civilians of all genders.

According to a UN investigation into war crimes in Ukraine, their ages range from four to 82-years-old.