Oleksii Sivak endured weeks of torture at the hands of Russian troops, who subjected him to horrific abuse in a freezing basement in his hometown of Kherson. His torment included electric shocks administered to his genitals as punishment for resisting their oppressive rule.
When Ukrainian forces liberated Kherson in the autumn of 2022, Sivak was presented with a long list of medical specialists to assist in his recovery. Shockingly, there were no urologists available—only gynecologists. “I asked them: ‘Am I meant to see a gynecologist?’ I was shocked,” he recalled, highlighting a significant oversight regarding the needs of male survivors of sexual violence. This experience marked the beginning of Sivak’s journey into advocacy for a group that has largely been ignored despite their increasing numbers.
The United Nations has documented hundreds of cases of sexual violence committed by Russian troops since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with approximately two-thirds of the victims being men and boys tortured in detention. Reports indicate a systematic use of sexual torture across various detention centers, which includes acts of rape, threats of rape, and other forms of sexual humiliation.
Charu Lata Hogg, executive director of the All Survivors Project, expressed alarm at the scale of these abuses. She noted that while sexual violence against men is a global issue, the documentation of such cases has often been lacking. In Ukraine, the UN has recorded 236 incidents of sexual violence against men and two against boys within a span of fewer than three years.
The recognition of these abuses is crucial, as survivors are supported by psychological assistance soon after their release, which allows them to recount their experiences more easily. Sivak, determined to ensure that male survivors are heard, has established Ukraine’s first support network for men affected by sexual violence. His initiative arose from the profound isolation he felt after his liberation; most existing support services were directed toward women.
“One of the aims of this organization is to create a path where one didn’t exist before,” he stated. This effort is particularly important in a society where the shame associated with male sexual violence remains a significant barrier to discussion. Despite the visible sacrifices made by soldiers and survivors, the injuries caused by sexual violence largely go unnoticed, and the subject is rarely addressed publicly.
Sivak's activism was galvanized by the traumatic experiences he and his fellow detainees endured, who became his lifeline during their captivity. They formed an informal support group upon their release, humorously dubbed the “Alumni Association for Men of Ukraine Who Have Been Detained and Tortured,” inspired by a light-hearted comment from Sivak’s wife.
Reflecting on the impact of his experiences, Sivak expressed, “We say we are graduates without diplomas; our experience is carved on our bodies and our souls.” His activism was born from the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, which transformed his life from a sailor with dreams of family to a determined advocate for justice.
Despite his traumatic past, Sivak remains focused on ensuring that the voices of survivors are not silenced. He believes that if he remains silent, it is as if the abuses never happened, perpetuating the suffering of those still imprisoned. Sivak insists that many men are still enduring similar tortures and must not be forgotten.
As he continues his advocacy work, Sivak recognizes that the prevalence of sexual violence in Russian prisons may be so normalized that many survivors may not even identify their experiences as sexual abuse. “Probably almost every man freed from captivity is part of our network,” he explained, underscoring the necessity of ongoing support and recognition for all survivors of such heinous acts.
Sivak's journey not only highlights the urgent need for awareness and support for male victims of sexual violence but also serves as a call to action for society to confront and dismantle the stigmas surrounding these issues.
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