Investigative journalist Svitlana Stetsenko faced harassment following the release of a report on the U420 network of “souvenir shops.” The investigation examined businesses presenting themselves as CBD stores but, according to an expert analysis by Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, were selling products containing prohibited psychotropic substances.
After teaser posts about the investigation were published on social media, a wave of comments appeared defending the network, some of which showed clear signs of gender-based violence. Users employed sexist language, mocked the journalist’s appearance, and commented on her personal life. Stetsenko also reported receiving abusive messages from fake accounts in private messages — a common tool of psychological pressure against investigative journalists.
This is not the first instance of aggression against Stetsenko. A similar backlash followed her earlier investigation into the “Honcharenko Centers.”
“Gender in Detail” has previously collaborated with Svitlana Stetsenko and expresses its support for her in this situation. Gender-based violence is unacceptable in all circumstances.
