Ukraine Introduces Fines for Online Sexual Harassment

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed the law on administrative offenses in connection with the ratification of the Istanbul Convention.

According to information from bill No. 8329 on the Ukrainian Parliament’s website, the President signed it on June 17.

Under this newly signed law, individuals can face fines up to 2,720 UAH (approximately 97 USD) for sending sexually demeaning messages via Internet.

Additionally, the Administrative Offenses Code has been updated with new provisions: articles 173-6 (for committing violence based on gender), 173-7 (regarding sexual harassment), and 173-8 (failure to comply with an urgent restraining order or failure to report a temporary residence in such cases).

On June 20, 2022, Ukrainian Parliament ratified the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention. President Zelenskyy signed the ratification document on June 21, 2022. The Istanbul Convention entered into force on November 1st of the same year.