200 police officers trained in responding to, qualifying, and proving sexual harassment as an administrative offense

UN Women, in partnership with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and in collaboration with the National Police of Ukraine, conducted a second series of training sessions for 200 police officers on responding to, qualifying, and proving sexual harassment as an administrative offense.

The first series of two-day training sessions was held between December 2024 and January 2025, reaching 100 police officers. The next eight training sessions, from July to August this year, were attended by another 200 police officers from the preventive activities unit, including patrol and district officers, who most often respond to such cases.

The aim of the training is to improve the skills of police officers in responding to, documenting, and proving violations under Article 173-7 (“Sexual Harassment”) of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses. The training also covers the algorithm of actions for police officers and the psychological aspects of working with victims, the prevention of such offenses, and the distinction between sexual harassment and other sexual offenses, as well as the development of skills in preparing administrative reports when proving the specified offense.

As a reminder, on December 19, 2024, the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses in Connection with the Ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence” (No. 3733-IX) came into force.

In particular, the Law distinguishes the “gender-based violence” as a new separate offense, which will allow to distinguish it from other offenses as efficiently as possible. This will comply with the requirements of Article 11 of the Istanbul Convention regarding the proper collection of statistical data on all types of violence falling within the scope of the Convention.

In addition, a new article on administrative liability for “sexual harassment,” including the use of electronic communications, has been introduced. The changes are aimed at adapting Ukrainian legislation to European standards in the field of violence prevention, which is an important step towards European integration.

The trainers:

• Tetiana Ishchenko-Ladna – Deputy Head of the Department for Preventive Measures and Combating Domestic Violence of the District Police Officers Division of the Preventive Activities Department of the National Police of Ukraine 
• Olesya Datsenko, Deputy Head of the Department – Head of the Division for Preventive Measures and Countering Domestic Violence of the District Police Officers Department of the Preventive Activities Department of the National Police of Ukraine, Police Colonel 
• Viktoria Mozgova – Sexual Violence Prevention Expert at the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine.

The trainings were organized with the support of UN Women, in partnership with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the National Police of Ukraine, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), within the project “Strengthening Women's Leadership for Building a Sustainable and Peaceful Society,” with financial support from the Government of Denmark.

Photo: UN Women