Ukraine has launched a new wave of the national "Break the Circle" campaign against domestic violence. Implemented by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, the campaign aims to dismantle entrenched stereotypes about domestic and gender-based violence. It also seeks to guide Ukrainians who have experienced or witnessed such violence on how to access help.

Nearly one in four women (23%) aged 15 and over has experienced physical violence, while one in fourteen (7%) has faced sexual violence. Alarmingly, only one in three women who have endured physical or sexual violence seeks help.

Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine intensifies this issue. Prolonged stress, forced displacement, widespread unemployment, psychological trauma, and national fatigue are leading to domestic violence in previously unaffected families. This crisis also revives harmful habits of tolerating and excusing violence.

The National Police of Ukraine reported a 40% increase in domestic violence complaints in 2022 compared to 2021 (244,381 complaints). In 2023, this number rose further to 291,428 reports—a 17% increase from the previous year.

"The volume of violence reports not only reveals the magnitude of the issue but also underscores the vital role of information campaigns in empowering people to seek help. Our goal, however, extends beyond merely informing citizens about their rights and available support. We aim to cultivate a society with zero tolerance for violence in Ukraine. This represents a crucial step towards creating a safe and secure future," said Uliana Tokareva, Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine.

The new campaign wave aims to spotlight traditional expressions or sayings that we often unconsciously repeat, which contribute to silencing and tolerating violence. To prompt Ukrainians to reconsider these "old attitudes," the campaign promo transformed several well-known toxic sayings into new rules:

"Silence is NOT golden" — emphasizes the need to speak up about painful relationships, report all forms of violence, and seek help.

"If they hit you, it means they do NOT love you" — challenges the notion of justifying any form of violence.

"If you don't want to, you DON'T have to" — reinforces that "No" always means "No," even in marriage, and that coercion has no place in relationships.

"We're committed to ensuring that, even during wartime, every person in Ukraine can live a life free from violence. Our work goes beyond helping people recognize violence—we provide resources for those in crisis situations. Our ultimate aim is to transform social beliefs, creating a space where every woman and girl feels protected and safe," said Massimo Diana, UNFPA Representative in Ukraine.

Domestic violence has no place in traditions or modern life. Break the circle of violence. 

For information on available support services, visit rozirvykolo.org.

The "Break the Circle" campaign is implemented by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine with the financial support of the UK Government, provided through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, as part of the domestic and gender-based violence response and prevention programme.