Survivors of sexual violence can face a number of obstacles preventing them from receiving the medical and psychological care they need—especially within the 72-hour window required to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy.
In Holovanivsk, central Ukraine, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) led a two-day training for first responders and health staff working for the country’s health system on how to make this care more easily accessible. “It’s extremely important,” said Olha, a Ukrainian psychologist. “We often encounter instances of sexual violence. We want as many people as possible to be aware that this is happening."
