Ukrainian women and children living in shelters in the Netherlands face significant risks of sexual violence, according to an organization monitoring the situation of Ukrainians in the country.
In the past few months, Opora documented 30 cases of sexual or physical attacks on women and nine cases involving children, with incidents ranging from assault to rape. Telegraaf reported that the alleged perpetrators include partners, fellow shelter residents, staff members, and outsiders.
Maria Shaidrova of Opora warned that these cases likely represent only a fraction of the total number of actual incidents. Last spring, a Ukrainian woman posted on TikTok seeking legal help after being raped in her shelter room, highlighting the fear many victims feel in reporting abuse, saying
I need a lawyer. I’m sure there are more cases like this in shelters, but people are afraid to talk about them.
Earlier this summer, police in Maassluis conducted a raid and found three Ukrainian children being forced into sex work. Two men from Rotterdam were taken into custody and charged with human trafficking.
Overcrowding is a major challenge, with nearly 100,000 Ukrainians currently in municipal shelters and about 300 new arrivals each week.
Most residents are women and children, with few men. Shaidrova stressed that trauma and overcrowding require careful management to protect vulnerable residents, while noting that victims often hesitate to seek help or face language barriers.
Proposed improvements include assigning support guides to shelters, ending shared showers, and providing translators. The Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) is exploring stricter eligibility rules for shelters, while Caretaker Minister Mona Keijzer considers measures to ease pressure on facilities.
