European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights: published new report “Seeking Safety from War – Violence and rights abuses against women from Ukraine”
In February 2026, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights published the report “Seeking Safety from War – Violence and rights abuses against women from Ukraine”. This report wants to highlight the violence, sexual harassment and exploitation experiences by women displaced from Ukraine since the start of Russia’s war in 2022.
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has resulted in millions of women seeking safety in the EU. These women – when leaving Ukraine or after – may have experienced violence, sexual harassment or other forms of exploitation. Under the Temporary Protection Directive (Council Directive 2001/55/EC), activated by Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 on 4 March 2022, displaced people from Ukraine benefit from a protection status entitling them to assistance and support. Other EU law – in particular the Anti-trafficking Directive (Directive 2011/36/EU), as amended by Directive (EU) 2024/1712, and the Victims’ Rights Directive (Directive 2012/29/EU) – affords rights to victims to facilitate their access to justice. The survey results show the degree to which Ukrainian women benefit in practice from the protective provisions contained in these EU legal instruments. They also point to areas where the EU and its Member States need to pay particular attention when taking steps to promote Ukrainian women’s successful integration into the EU or their sustainable return to Ukraine in safety and dignity.
The report, drawing on interviews with 1,223 women who have fled Ukraine since the beginning of the war, underlines the abuse women have faced by Russian forces, the widespread violence against women, the high levels of sexual harassment, the risk of exploitation, lack of support and low levels of reporting to the police.
Furthermore, the report suggests a series of actions that EU Member States should take in order to support the victims of armed conflict, including, ensuring full protection from gender-based violence for women fleeing the war in Ukraine, providing comprehensive assistance the minimise safety risks, and train police and health professionals to identify and investigate incidents adequately.
Sirpa Rautio, FRA Director has stated: “The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine has brought untold suffering to millions of people, including women fleeing the conflict. Seeking sanctuary in Europe should have brought solace. But despite the protections offered by the EU, many women suffer serious violations; others feel unsafe. EU Member States must ensure that women receive protection, support and justice for what they have endured so that they can rebuild their lives.”