Behind Closed Doors: How War Fuels Domestic Violence in Ukrainian Homes

War changes society at all levels, leaving deep scars not only on the body of the country, but also in every home, in every family. In addition to the obvious casualties on the battlefield, there are less visible but no less tragic consequences – the rise in domestic violence. This trend became especially relevant and noticeable during the full-scale war in Ukraine, when many families found themselves under the pressure of stress, uncertainty and psychological burden. The situation becomes more complicated when the aggressors become those who are called to protect the Motherland – military personnel who, after returning from the front, cannot always adapt to a peaceful life.
The line between safety and vulnerability is getting thinner every day, and anyone can become a victim of the violence that is surreptitiously spreading around us. But it is good to keep silent about the obvious facts of violence, such as beatings and abuse, or hidden psychological pressure and moral humiliation, guided by flimsy excuses such as “so that it doesn’t get worse” and “you shouldn’t take the garbage out of the house.” It’s time to open your eyes to the brutal reality and start taking action to stop the invisible menace and tyranny of evil.
In society, we are used to perceiving violence as a phenomenon that is associated with crime dramas and thrillers. However, our reality today is that violence affects millions of people around the world every day, taking many forms and manifestations. From physical to psychological, from economic to sexual, violence is disguised under different faces, making it invisible to the majority of society.
Impressive statistics
Statistics show that violence is a global problem that knows no boundaries, age, gender or social status.
In the first year of full-scale war to the police arrived 244,381 complaints about domestic violence. Law enforcement officers opened 1,500 cases, of which 1,249 cases reached the court, which is 83.3%. In 2023, the number of cases of domestic violence increased to 291,428. 2,705 cases were opened, of which 2,243 were brought to court, which is 82.9%.
For data Opendatabot, in Ukraine in 2024 there were already 1,521 criminal proceedings on domestic violence, which is 36% more than last year. On average, 300 cases are registered per month. At the same time, there are sad statistics regarding the number of cases that have come to court. And if in 2022 and 2023 this figure was in the range of 83-82%, then in 2024 the indicator dropped sharply to 64%. This is the lowest indicator in the last 5 years. It is likely that this situation indicates that most cases remain unreported due to fear, stigmatization or fear of condemnation and lack of support from society.
According to UNDP, about 2 million people suffer from physical domestic violence in Ukraine. Statistics show that over 80% of cases are men’s violence against women. Every year, 600 Ukrainian women die from domestic violence”, – the human rights commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada, Dmytro Lubinets, cited terrible statistics.
Terrible incidents and sad consequences
Domestic violence is a silent war that takes place behind closed doors, leaving not only physical scars, but also deep psychological wounds. The devastating consequences of this phenomenon affect all aspects of the victim’s life, dragging them into a never-ending spiral of pain, fear and isolation.
The physical effects of domestic violence can range from minor physical injuries to serious injuries such as fractures, head injuries, and even internal injuries. And constant such abuse can lead to chronic diseases. Research shows that victims of domestic violence have a higher risk of heart attack and stroke due to constant stress.
The psychological consequences of domestic violence are no less devastating. Victims often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Constant fear and a sense of helplessness turn them into hostages in their own homes. Psychological injuries also affect the victims’ ability to self-actualize, communicate, and develop, which often leads to social isolation, and in the worst cases, to suicide.
Ageism, victim-blaming, lookism and gaslighting are distinguished among various types of psychological pressure. These words borrowed from the English language, unfortunately, have already taken root in the language of the modern world and have become quite understandable. Often, victims are subjected to systematic humiliating insults due to their appearance, age from their partner, colleagues or even complete strangers on social networks.
Probably everyone has encountered gaslighting situations in their lives. Groundless criticism, attempts to convince the victim of his wrongness, devaluation of another person’s opinion – these are all types of psychological pressure that the offender resorts to. And in conditions of constant stress, when the human psyche is especially vulnerable and we look for support from other people, such images are felt much more acutely.
Domestic violence even affects the economic sphere. After all, victims are often forced to leave work due to constant beatings, psychological pressure or to ensure the safety of their children. Loss of income and the need to pay for medical expenses, legal aid or finding new housing deepens financial instability. Many women remain in abusive relationships precisely because of economic dependence on their partner.
It should not be forgotten that children who grow up in families with violence suffer primarily from an unstable and dangerous situation in the family, often experiencing emotional and behavioral problems, such as aggression, depression or learning difficulties. They are more likely to become victims or abusers in the future, perpetuating the cycle of violence.
Domestic violence is not a new phenomenon. Cases of aggression in families are often described in the news. So, in the Rivne region, a man brutally beat his 20-year-old wife and kicked her out of the house with a three-year-old child. The poor woman lived in the garage for several days and only then contacted the police. There are hundreds of thousands of such cases.
The highest rates of registered cases of violence were recorded in the capital, Kyiv, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, where the bulk of IDPs are concentrated. People who have lost their property and do not see a way out of their predicament are often prone to alcoholism and take out their anger on their loved ones.
Cases of domestic violence appeals from abroad are rare. There, men also threaten their wives with deportation if they turn to law enforcement agencies.
In the western regions of Ukraine, due to rather religious views, in general, there is a tolerant attitude towards manifestations of violence.
“Once a woman told the local priest that her husband was hurting her. And he answered that she should endure everything, should be a good wife, because she is the neck, and the husband is the head. When the offended woman turned to us for help, we insisted that she immediately take the children and come to Odessa. We took on the costs for this. The woman promised to think about it and disappeared. And when the next time her husband beat her again, her 8-year-old son stood up for her. His father grabbed his arm and broke it. So soon the woman did come to us with her children because of fear for them. By the way, now her life has improved and she already has another husband,” she says Nikita Permyakov, psychologist, coordinator of the Psychological Center “Equilibrium” in Odessa.
The reasons for the increase in violence
War radically changes the psychological state of people, creating an environment where aggression and violence become the norm of behavior. Its reasons are:
Depression and anxiety. War forces people to live in constant fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Loss of friends, colleagues, lack of work and money, feelings of hopelessness – all this can lead to the development of depression and anxiety disorders. People in this state can look for a way to relieve tension, and unfortunately, this often happens through aggression towards those around them.
Social isolation and economic hardship. The COVID-19 pandemic that preceded the war has already put many families in a difficult position. The war only deepened these problems. Job loss, displacement, destruction of homes all put additional pressure on families, which can lead to conflict and violence.
Alcoholism and drug addiction. Often people turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with the pain and stress caused by war. This aggravates the situation even more, because in a state of alcohol or drug intoxication, a person loses control over his actions and may resort to violence against loved ones.
Video content. Mass media have always had a significant impact on society, shaping the worldview and behavior of people. Today’s world is full of movies, series and TV shows in which violence takes center stage. From action movies to crime dramas, from reality shows to news reports, aggression has become a common element of entertainment. But do we think about how these images affect our actions and thinking? Can screen violence provoke real aggression in society?
Research by psychologists shows that regular viewing of violent scenes can significantly affect the psyche of viewers, especially children and teenagers. At a young age, the brain actively forms patterns of behavior, and what the child sees on the screen can be perceived as the norm.
Military and domestic violence
War leaves its traces not only on the battlefield, but also in the souls of those who survived it. Military personnel returning from the front often face the difficult task of adapting to civilian life. Domestic violence among the military is an alarming trend that requires careful analysis and understanding of causes and effects.
“A very large percentage, about 60%, of those who commit domestic violence are military personnel. And it is not only about the military of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but about everyone who was at the front. Since the beginning of the year alone, the number of registered cases has increased by 14% and has a growing trend. After the war, some people learned to kill in cold blood, they will have to be pulled out of this.” – the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko emphasizes this sad fact.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the main reasons for the increase in domestic violence among the military. Military personnel who have visited the front often suffer from a condition in which they cannot fully adapt to civilian life after traumatic events. This state is accompanied by strong emotional experiences, flashbacks, panic attacks and aggression. The lack of adequate psychological support and rehabilitation contributes to the fact that these emotions spill out in the family circle, which leads to violence.
It is important to understand that the aggression of military personnel in the family circle is a consequence of their combat experience, and not an innate tendency to violence. The military, who were in the combat zone for a long time, had to be constantly on guard, ready to respond instantly to any threat. This state of “combat readiness” can persist even after returning home. In war, aggression is a means of survival. In combat, the military learns to quickly respond to threats by using force. After returning home, this skill can become uncontrollable, and even domestic disputes can be perceived as a threat that requires an immediate aggressive response.
Many military personnel face the fact that their experiences are not understood or even ignored. This causes a feeling of isolation and misunderstanding, which can lead to an emotional explosion and manifestations of violence. In the war, the military feel like they are part of a big cause, they are performing an important mission. Returning to a peaceful life, many feel a loss of meaning, an inability to find their place in civil society. This internal conflict can manifest itself through aggression towards loved ones. In addition, for many soldiers, alcohol or drugs become a means to relieve emotional pain. However, in a state of intoxication, a person loses control over himself, which often leads to aggressive behavior.
Cases of military violence have devastating consequences for their families. Women and children who are victims of violence often feel fear and helplessness. They may suffer from physical trauma, emotional trauma that never heals, and a constant sense of danger. Children who witness violence may later show aggressive behavior themselves or, on the contrary, withdraw into themselves, which negatively affects their development.
Actions of law enforcement agencies
We are constantly told that in the event of violence, we should contact the police immediately. But many victims claim that law enforcement agencies barely respond to such appeals. They can often limit themselves to advice like: “Why don’t you have someone to talk to him (man – ed.) in a manly way?”. As they say, “no body – no business”. But is it really necessary to wait until the worst happens, and then throw up your hands and look for the culprits?
But it is worth noting that quite interesting manifestation of strange behavior in victims, when the police team arrives on call, suddenly take the side of the offender. Psychologists called this phenomenon the “Stockholm syndrome”, when the victim feels a certain attachment and sympathy for his abuser. As experts note, the mechanism of such a condition is completely natural and caused by the instinct of self-preservation. The victim believes that if she shows obedience and understanding, then perhaps the rapist will see eye to eye and stop the beatings. However, it is naive to think that the one who raised his hand at least once and was not punished for it, will stop doing so in the future.
Only three conditions are sufficient for the manifestation of “Stockholm syndrome”:
- psychological trauma caused by a threat to life;
- dependent relationships;
- difficulties with leaving this relationship.
The victim makes excuses for the toxic mother or abusive husband because they don’t want to accept the fact that they are unloved and abused.
But the offender must necessarily bear criminal responsibility for domestic violence in any of its manifestations. The Law “On Prevention and Combating Domestic Violence” is in force in the country. In the case of committing violent acts for the first time, the offender faces a fine, community service or administrative arrest. If domestic violence is repeated systematically and has led to such serious consequences as health disorders, loss of the victim’s ability to work, etc., then the offender may even face imprisonment for a term of up to two years.
Foreign experience of combating manifestations of violence
Many countries struggle with manifestations of violence at various levels. For example, Sweden has adopted legislation that recognizes domestic violence as a criminal offense and not a private matter. It was this attitude that contributed to the increase in the number of cases pending in court and the reduction of violence. After all, society now has a clear understanding that domestic violence is a crime for which there will be criminal liability. The principle of “they will figure it out themselves” is completely inappropriate here.
Canada has launched a number of programs to support victims of violence, including crisis centres, hotlines and psychological support.
And in Iceland, the program “No place for children near violence” was implemented, which is aimed at protecting children from witnessing violence and providing them with the necessary help to overcome trauma.
In Germany, many so-called shelters were opened for women who suffered violence and even became disabled as a result.
In Australia, a step-by-step procedure is carried out to identify the needs and provide assistance to women who have experienced aggression from men. Also, in some states of the country, not only rehabilitation centers, but also centers for working with aggressors operate. Taking into account the fact that 90% of women primarily suffer from economic violence, the government in the country allocates funds for the financial support of such women and providing them with loans on favorable terms for renting housing or paying for communal services.
Thanks to the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, EU countries have shown their clear intention to make violence prevention a priority for the whole of Europe. This convention is open even to countries that have not yet become members of the EU.
The Istanbul Convention operates according to four principles:
- prevention of violence;
- protection of victims;
- prosecution of perpetrators;
- integration of effective and coordinated strategies.
Ukraine, despite the difficult military situation, also ratified this treaty. However, the country still has difficulties in creating shelters for women victims of violence and attracting financial support programs for victims.
Therefore, the increase in cases of domestic violence during the war is a consequence of the deep social, economic and psychological problems that the war brought with it. It must be recognized that this front requires no less attention and effort than the military front. Society, government and international organizations must unite to provide adequate psychological care and support to victims of violence, especially military families. Otherwise, the consequences of this war will destroy our society long after the guns have fallen silent.