The number of domestic violence reports in Ukraine is increasing. Kateryna Levchenko, the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy, explained the reason to a journalist from UNN and discussed whether law enforcement's response to such reports has changed.
Increase in domestic violence reports
Maryna Legenka, President of the NGO "La Strada – Ukraine," stated that the number of domestic violence reports they receive is increasing.
"Currently, the number of reports is higher than before the full-scale invasion. This number of reports is slowly growing," Legenka said during a briefing.
In addition, Legenka noted that the problem of domestic violence is extremely relevant in the context of a full-scale war.
War, economic instability: causes of increasing violence in society
Kateryna Levchenko told a UNN journalist that the increase in the number of domestic violence reports also indicates an improvement in response and identification of cases.
In the early 2000s, such a type of offense or crime as domestic violence was not identified at all. This (fell under – ed.) hooliganism, minor bodily injuries, or bodily injuries of moderate severity. Therefore, the increase in the number of such cases over many years is evidence of this latent phenomenon emerging from latency. Today, the level of problems in society, interpersonal communications has increased significantly. Economic instability and general instability affect it. The level of aggression, the level of psychological fatigue are objective factors that there is more violence in society
The National Police reported in July that in the first five months of 2025, law enforcement received over 53,000 reports of criminal offenses related to domestic violence.
Addendum
In cases of domestic violence, you can contact, among others:
· police – 102;
· national hotline for the prevention of domestic violence of NGO "La Strada – Ukraine" – 116-123;
· government 24-hour hotline for combating domestic violence, human trafficking, and violence against children.
Supplement
On December 19, 2024, a law came into force that strengthens responsibility for domestic violence.