New study: domestic violence in Ukraine — results of the analysis for 2024
We have prepared a study on domestic violence in Ukraine based on an analysis of court cases from 2024. Its goal is to better understand who becomes a survivor, who commits violence, and how the justice system responds.
We analyzed 1778 domestic violence cases heard by courts of first instance during the year.
Key findings
The study shows that domestic violence remains a serious and systemic problem in Ukraine.
- Most abusers are men. Almost 97% of the cases involve men.
- Most survivors are women. They make up more than 90% of all victims.
This confirms that domestic violence often has a gendered nature.
Which kinds of violence occur most often
The most widespread form is psychological violence — insults, threats, humiliation, constant emotional pressure. It was recorded in roughly 96% of the cases.
Such violence may leave no physical traces, but it seriously affects mental health: it causes anxiety, fear, sleep problems, and a sense of danger.
Physical violence is also widespread. It is often combined with psychological pressure.
Economic violence appears less often, but that does not mean there is little of it. It is often connected with control over money and housing or with limits on financial independence.
Violence after a relationship ends
Many cases involve former partners or spouses. This means that ending a relationship does not always stop the violence.
Children suffer too
In some of the cases children were witnesses to the violence, and sometimes direct victims. This shows that domestic violence affects the whole family, not just one person.
Additional factors
The study also shows several important trends:
- violence often happens while the abuser is intoxicated;
- there are cases of repeated violence;
- some abusers have military experience, which underlines the need for psychological support for veterans.
Why this matters
Studies like this help to understand the problem better and to shape effective solutions:
- developing psychological and legal support for survivors;
- working on violence prevention;
- launching programs for abusers;
- raising public awareness.
Domestic violence is not a private family matter but a social problem that affects people’s safety, health, and well-being. That is exactly why it is important to speak about it openly and to work on solutions systematically.
The study was carried out as part of a project implemented by Insight NGO with the technical support of UN Women in Ukraine and funded by the UN Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF). WPHF is a flexible and rapid funding instrument that supports quality interventions to strengthen the capacity of local women to prevent conflict, respond to crises and emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding opportunities.
This material was prepared with the financial support of the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), but this does not mean that the views expressed and the content of the material are officially endorsed or recognized by the United Nations.