VARTOVI methodology
Monitoring, documenting, and responding to hate crimes against LGBTI+.
VARTOVI is a unique monitoring, response, and analytics platform created by Gender Stream to protect the rights of LGBTQI+ communities in Ukraine.
Its mission is to document human rights violations, support survivors, and contribute to systemic change aimed at preventing hate crimes based on SOGIESC (sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics).
What makes the platform unique is its high-quality monitoring and response to crimes carried out in cooperation with the police. VARTOVI does not merely observe violations — it offers a comprehensive approach to addressing and overcoming discrimination.
VARTOVI is a step toward equality, safety, and justice for all
Team and Areas of Expertise
The VARTOVI team at Gender Stream coordinates the work of the monitoring network. All activities are carried out in line with best international practices and human rights documentation standards. The approach is trauma-informed, survivor-centred, and aimed at promoting accountability and policy change.
Physical assaults / killings (including those resulting from negligence), domestic violence, obstruction of NGO activities or events, threats, blackmail, harassment, stalking, property damage, unlawful deprivation of liberty.
By state authorities; discrimination in healthcare, education, employment, and other services; banks, etc.
Violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) on the occupied territories.
Hate speech by public figures or organizations; outing, etc.
Exclusions:
The platform does not cover crimes without a hate motive (unless a mixed motive is present), discrimination occurring within the community itself, random insults in comments, or graffiti that does not have a clear anti-LGBTQI+ focus.
Through direct communication, online reporting forms, or monitoring of public sources.
Use of standartised forms and algorithms to record incidents, including the collection of supporting evidence.
Collected data are structured according to key indicators (type of aggression, geography, social context) to build a comprehensive database.
Referral to legal and mental health professionals for the provision of legal and MHPSS assistance on the request of survivors.
Data Sources
We collect information through reports from survivors and witnesses, media monitoring, open sources on social media, as well as through interaction with state institutions such as the police or the Ombudsperson’s Office. The data collection methodology includes verification of information, with direct contact with survivors in all cases where possible.
Cases and Sampling
We analyzed the collected cases of human rights violations that occurred between January 1, 2023, and February 24, 2025, and identified an alarming trend: manifestations of homophobia and hate crimes continue to increase and affect all regions of Ukraine.
To present a clearer picture, we grouped regions into five macro-regions. This approach allowed us to draw representative conclusions even in cases where some oblasts had a limited number of documented incidents. Cases that occurred online were выделed as a separate category.
Geography of documented cases
The majority of recorded incidents occurred in Western Ukraine and the capital city
1 case (a hate crime and obstruction of LGBTI+ events)
0 cases
19 cases, of which 17 occurred in Kyiv
13 cases
4 cases
7 cases (primarily hate speech)
Intersectionality
Among the survivors were:
- Internally displaced persons (IDPs) — 3 cases
- Military personnel — 3 cases
Interaction with the police
Half of the survivors contacted the police.
In 50% of cases, police officers acted appropriately: they documented the crime, accepted reports, and did not demonstrate discriminatory behavior.
In 25% of cases, police behavior was inappropriate and included ignoring the crime, discriminatory treatment, victim-blaming, or abuse of authority.
Illustrative cases
These cases demonstrate that homophobic attitudes, discrimination, and hate-based violence are systemic phenomena. They exist within educational institutions, government bodies, and public spaces.
Under these conditions, it is especially important to continue monitoring, supporting survivors, and advocating for change so that human rights in Ukraine are protected not only on paper, but also in practice.
After a local deputy publicly condemned a business for displaying a rainbow flag, the office of the agency was attacked. The city council commission did not recognize the violation of rights and instead supported the deputy’s biased position.
The victim was assaulted following openly homophobic insults and threats. The police arrived with a delay, but investigative actions are ongoing, and the organization’s lawyer is providing legal support.
At a private school, a teacher was dismissed after a parent shared his Instagram posts from voguing balls in a group chat, accusing him of posing a “threat” to children. Despite a formal apology from the school, discriminatory restrictions on his employment remained in place.
REPORT AN INCIDENT
REPORT AN INCIDENT
If you have witnessed or experienced an incident related to discrimination, hate speech, or a hate crime, please report it using this form.
The information you provide will help us record the case and, if needed, offer you consultation or legal support.
All reports are treated confidentially.
Please describe what happened, where and when it occurred.
We will use them only to contact you and provide assistance.
