ACCESS TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNDER MARTIAL LAW IN UKRAINE

Abstract

Russia’s large-scale aggression against Ukraine has had a negative impact on the standard of living and quality of life of the population and has exacerbated the problem of domestic violence. According to the National Police of Ukraine, from January to May 2023, 349,355 cases of domestic violence were registered, which is 66% more than in 2022 (231,244 cases) for the same period. The number of domestic violence cases also expected to increase in 2024. The factors that influence the growth of domestic violence are: hostilities, stress, anxiety, conflict, financial difficulties, lack of own housing and decent living conditions, unemployment, alcoholism, drug use, and posttraumatic stress disorder, both in the military and in the civilian population. This actualizes the study of this problem, in particular, the study of access to social services and assistance to victims of domestic violence under martial law. The purpose of the article is to characterize the status of the problem of domestic violence and to study access to social services and assistance to victims of domestic violence under martial law. In the article, the author determines that currently in Ukraine there is an extensive system of state, municipal and nongovernmental organizations that provide emergency and comprehensive assistance to victims of all types of violence. Based on the secondary analysis of the results of the sociological survey, it was determined that less than half of the respondents (45.9%) sought help from specialized support services and received qualified assistance. Of these, only 65% positively assessed the availability of services for victims of domestic violence in their region of residence. The article concludes that all social service providers need to strengthen their efforts to prevent domestic violence and improve access to assistance for victims.