70 priests of the UGCC of Kyiv region were trained to prevent violence against children and vulnerable persons

Ivanka Rudakevych, head of projects and programs at UCU's Center for the Dignity of the Child, and hieromonk-psychologist Sava Masnyk conducted online training for the Kyiv Archeparchy. They familiarized the diocesan clergy with the prevention of violence against minors and vulnerable persons, as well as with the mechanism for responding to cases of sexual abuse that occurred in the church.

Ivanka Rudakevych shared the results of the study "Sexual Violence in Ukraine: From Awareness to Protection," which was conducted in 2021 by the Center for Child Dignity in cooperation with the Fama Research Agency. It turned out that 23% of Ukrainians experienced sexual abuse and harassment in childhood, and 43% of victims did not tell anyone about their experiences. Another 62% of Ukrainians believe that sexual abuse is committed by strangers, but in fact, in 85% of cases, children are abused by adult acquaintances. The church should also take care of children's safety, so the Dignity Center conducts formations for parishes and clergy, two-day schools of the first and second level, online training, and has developed child safety instructions aimed at preventing sexual abuse.

"When we talk about sexual violence against a child, any act of a sexual nature against him or her is a crime. Even if the child consents to it. And the offender is guilty of this crime. Whether it is rape, touching the child's genitals, swimsuit area, or nudity in front of him or her, it is all the same crime of sexual violence that will affect his or her future relationships, beliefs about themselves and the world," said Ivanka Rudakevych.

During the training, 70 priests of the Kyiv region learned about the types of violence, how to recognize an abuser, how to talk to a victim, how the sacrament of confession and disclosure of violence relate, about the prevention of violence in the church, contacts of relevant assistance services, algorithms of actions when a disclosure has been made, and where to refer victims.

Father Sava Masnyk shared his practice of talking to victims of violence: "Listen to the story they are sharing with you, feel the pain, thank them for their trust in you and for the courage to share their difficult experience. Give the person time, don't put pressure, don't ask for excessive detail, be calm and balanced. Also, check your own feelings, because listening to stories of pain can be very difficult, so after hearing them, take care of your own recovery and resilience."

The Center for the Dignity of the Child offers training opportunities for parishes, which can be found on the website: https://cdc.ucu.edu.ua/uk/opportunities/?area_tag=cerkva&type_tag=.
As well as resources - videos and materials for use in your work: https://cdc.ucu.edu.ua/uk/resources/?area_tag=&type_tag=.
If you have been a victim, witnessed violence, or if your loved ones need help, our website has contacts of services that you can contact: https://cdc.ucu.edu.ua/uk/if-you-are-injured/
"Prevention is the best defense. That is why the UCU Center for the Dignity of the Child helps parishes to establish work on the prevention of violence, conducts various kinds of training for clergy, catechists, and parishioners who work with children. We want to create a culture of safety in Ukraine, where the dignity of the child is an unconditional value," said Ivanka Rudakevych.