LettersUkraine war a reminder that sexual violence often accompanies armed conflict

Readers discuss reports of rape by Russian forces in Ukraine, the likelihood of a nuclear catastrophe, an obstacle to returning to Hong Kong from overseas amid Covid-19 rules, and lack of progress on refunds from a troubled school

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An evacuation convoy travels along a damaged road in the town of Kupiansk on the outskirts of Kharkiv, Ukraine, on May 30. Photo: Reuters

Published: 2:30pm, 3 Jun 2022

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There are growing reports of Russian soldiers raping women to terrorise Ukrainians. Militarily, Russian President Vladimir Putin will do whatever it takes to defeat Ukraine. When Russian forces recently withdrew from northern Ukraine, investigators began looking into cases of torture, summary executions and other abuses that could constitute war crimes.

Throughout human history, sexual violence has been a feature of war. These crimes are mostly perpetrated by men and often with impunity. Sexual violence can have a profound impact on survivors’ mental health and well-being. Shamefully, we’re complicit by our silence and inaction.

Iris Chang wrote a detailed account of Japanese war atrocities in her book, The Rape of Nanking. She estimated that tens of thousands of Chinese women were raped by Japanese soldiers, who in December 1937 seized Nanjing, the capital of the Republic of China. Many were subsequently murdered. Others were forced into militarised sexual slavery. An estimated 100,000 to 300,000 Chinese civilians and soldiers were killed.

Global citizens are on a slippery slope when the things that should unite us instead steadfastly divide. When heads of state can’t universally condemn Russian soldiers’ sexual violence, it’s no wonder leaders struggle to respond effectively to the effects of climate change, an existential threat that has arrived on cue as science has predicted, and is relentlessly bearing down on humanity.

Dr Michael Walton, New South Wales, Australia