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Caritas Ukraine assists not only survivors of human trafficking, but also victims of conflict related sexual violence.
The situation with human trafficking in Ukraine remains critical.
Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, internal trafficking has significantly increased. According
to official statistics from the National Social Service, 347 individuals were identified as victims of
human trafficking between 2022 and 2024. In 2024 alone, 182 victims were documented.
Alarmingly, in just the first quarter of 2025, 56 new trafficking cases and 39 cases of conflict-
related sexual violence (CRSV) have already been recorded.
More than 70% of these victims suffered from mixed forms of exploitation, often while in
captivity. Many were subjected to sexual exploitation, forced labor, domestic servitude, or coerced
into participation in the conflict.
A particularly disturbing trend is the rising trafficking of children, directly linked to the
ongoing war. According to Caritas Ukraine, approximately 10% of all screened survivors are
children.
Here is the story of Andriy (the name is changed), 17 year old boy who was subjected to sexual
violence but was able to escape and received comprehensive assistance from Caritas Ukraine.
Andriy lived in Kherson with his mother.
Since the occupation of part of the city, the child has been under psychological pressure
from the Russian military. For more than 6 months he lived with his mother in his own home, but
the occupation resulted in the fact that the Russian militaries constantly threatened the family with
murder during this period. They systematically came to the family’s home (about 2 times a week).
The son was subjected to sexual violence, he was isolated and his personal belongings were
confiscated. These actions were committed under psychological pressure and threats. When the
soldiers entered the apartment, they began to threaten the mother and son, and as a result of the
threats and psychological pressure, the son agreed to do whatever they demanded to save his
mother’s life. The mother, in turn, did the same. The mother was locked in one room with several
Russian soldiers, and the son in another (neighboring) room. They could move freely around the
room only in the absence of the soldiers who committed violence. When they were locked in
different rooms, they could move only when absolutely necessary in the presence of the military.
After repeated incidents of sexual violence and abuse, the mother persuaded her son to leave
the occupied territory with the evacuation convoy. When the militaries were not present in the
room, they packed the necessary things, as it was possible to leave the city. However, at the
occupiers’ posts, the Russian military gave them a choice: either the son or the mother could leave
the city. The mother agreed to stay in exchange for her son going to a safe environment and being
able to continue his studies. He traveled by train to Chernihiv (to his aunt’s house), where he
renewed his documents, and from there to Ternopil to his grandmother. There he received also IDP
status.
The grandmother came to local Caritas to get help for IDPs (food, hygiene, etc.) and
Caritas staff learned about the boy’s situation and decided to refer him to anti-trafficking project as
a potential victim of trafficking. Now the boy lives with his grandparents and goes to school. His psychological state is
stable, but he misses his mother, with whom he manages to contact, but not often.
The boy is provided with assistance in integrating into society, psychological counseling,
legal assistance, laptop, stationery and school supplies to enable him to study, as well as household
items. Andriy was also referred to the pedagogical specialists to prepare for the school mature
tests and additional classes in academic subjects. He is going to get a higher education.
He is continuing to rebuild his life with the dedicated support of Caritas Ukraine.
