The Round Table, which focused on the Ukrainian Experience about Wartime Sexual Violence, took place on 12th September 2022 at Sts Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology of Palacký university and was also streamed online via ZOOM and Facebook, hosted and moderated by the Vice-Dean for Foreign Relations.
Three panel guests present in person were:
- a judge at the Diocesan Church Court, Pilsen, Ms Martina Vintrová
- a lecturer of bioethics at Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, Ms Mariya Yarema, and
- a lecturer of bioethics at Ukrainian Catholic University, Mr Yuriy Martynyuk
The remaining guests, connected to the debate online, were:
- a lecturer of clinical psychology at Ukrainian Catholic University, Ms Oleksandra Nizdran
- a media scientist, Ms Renáta Sedláková, and
- bishop Tomáš Holub
During the course of the discussion all the panel guests offered both the theoretical approach to the topic and also their personal experience either from the field of action or through working with the victims.
Wartime Sexual Violence is a complex topic and it was approached from many points of views during the discussion. Focusing on a rape and its consequences for the body and the mind of the victim and also the possible aftermath of a pregnancy. And even though all the panel guests were of one mind saying that no ill will should be born towards the victims, several of them admitted that in real life they end up being stigmatized in their communities afterwards and so do their children conceived during the rape.
The debate focused not only on the victims of such violence but also on the aggressors and what motivation might be driving them to commit such war crimes. And since the debate was thorough, the aggressors were also discussed as to how difficult it would be to socialize them after the war is over.
At the end of the discussion all the guests expressed their hope that the war conflict in Ukraine might eventually come to an end with Ukraine being victorious and for the current atrocities and evil to finish as soon as possible.
This event is supported by Erasmus+ Programme KA107.
