Ukrainian media outlets expressed concern and outrage over the rhetoric of reports by the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Lyudmila Denisova about sexual crimes committed by the Russian occupiers against Ukrainians during the war.

In this regard, dozens of journalists have already signed an open appeal to the ombudsman with a request to adjust communication in accordance with the ethics of dissemination of such sensitive information.

"Sexual crimes during the war are a tragedy of families, a difficult and traumatic topic, not a topic for publications in the spirit of the 'scandalous chronicle,'" the letter said. 

One of the key claims is the sometimes dissemination of unverified information. The Office of the Commissioner is the official source of information, and therefore everything published on behalf of the Ombudsman acquires the status of "confirmed facts".

The ombudsman is pointed out the unethical wording of the victims. Photo:  Tinnakorn / Depositphotos

"We are forced to trust the official information that comes from officials, in a state of martial law a priori.

We do not have the opportunity to verify it from other sources. In this way, we are spreading messages from the Commissioner for Human Rights - in fact, taking them on faith, " said Tatiana Troshchynska, editor-in-chief of Public Radio.

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The media also point out that the ombudsman uses unethical wording to describe the details of the occupiers' horrific crimes.

These are the following formulations:

• "girl 6 months old, Russians raped with a teaspoon",
• "Two children were raped orally and anal,"
• "A nine-month-old daughter was raped by candlelight."

In addition, media outlets are concerned that the Ukrainian media may be just a platform for spreading "horrible details" about Russian sexual crimes during the war. And they should serve as voices of support, in particular to gather evidence in relevant criminal cases against the occupiers.

"It is important to understand that sexual crimes during the war are an instrument of genocide, an instrument of waging war without rules, but they cannot serve as illustrative material to inflame the emotions of the audience," the  journalists  emphasize.

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In connection with the above remarks, Denisov is urged to:

• to publish only verified facts of Russian crimes;
• report what materials have already been submitted to the justice system;
• carefully select every word in your messages to the public that could potentially turn another personal tragedy into a "sensation",
• avoid excessive detail of crimes;
• use correct terminology: for example, use "victims" or "survivors" instead of "victims";
• take care of the confidentiality and safety of victims, as careless detailing and statements can identify them;
• remind about victim support networks. 

"Sensational materials, stigmatization, insinuations and" black people "around human tragedies will not help us overcome the enemy and reveal the problem of sexual crimes during the war," the journalists added, addressing the ombudsman. 

In total, at least 82 media women signed an open letter to Lyudmila Denisova. 

To sign the application, you must write to femida.help@gmail.com , stating the name, surname and organization in which you work.