A Signed Path to Change: How Ukrainians Support the Decriminalization of Pornography and What It Means for the Country’s Future
Efforts by Ukrainian activists and advocates of personal freedom are reaching new heights: a petition calling for the decriminalization of adult content has garnered over 25,000 signatures and is now under consideration by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This marks an important milestone in the reform of legislation that has long been characterized by strict bans and criminal penalties for creating and distributing content for adults. The initiative was started by Svetlana Dvornikova, a prominent model on the OnlyFans platform, who submitted the petition through the President’s Office on June 27. She urged the head of state to support the bill №12191 and to include it in the Verkhovna Rada’s agenda, emphasizing that criminal restrictions are outdated and create additional issues for some citizens. In her petition, she highlighted that over five years, she paid more than 40 million hryvnias in taxes, which could have been used to support Ukraine’s defense sector, including purchasing equipment and technology for the armed forces. Alongside this, Dvornikova pointed out that she was subject to criminal proceedings under Article 301 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, and law enforcement officials attempted to arrange “corruption deals.” She noted that in 2023, nearly 2,000 “phantom cases” were opened, aimed at creating fictitious criminal proceedings for extorting bribes and abusing power. She described this situation as a “bribe-making machine.” The bill №12191, discussed in the Ukrainian Parliament for over a year, proposes significant legislative changes. It suggests removing from the Criminal Code articles that prohibit adults from creating and sharing content among themselves without criminal elements, as well as strengthening penalties related to child pornography, coercion, and the involvement of minors. The document aims to provide better protection for genuine victims and facilitate lawful creation and distribution of adult content. Data shows that last year, over 350 Ukrainian OnlyFans models declared about 305.4 million hryvnias in income, voluntarily paying over 59 million hryvnias in taxes. Experts believe that legalizing and decriminalizing such activities could generate at least $12.3 million annually — resources that could significantly boost Ukraine’s defense capability. Furthermore, in the article “Partial Decriminalization of Pornography: Exploring Reasons and Consequences,” expert Oleksandr Karpenko explained that current law prohibits even private messaging and the sharing of intimate photos without consent. The proposed changes aim not to remove responsibility but to clarify wording and prevent abuse. This ongoing struggle for citizens’ rights and freedoms holds the potential for positive reforms in legislation, which could make Ukraine a more just and innovative country. Public support and active civic engagement can facilitate faster enactment of necessary laws, paving the way for better protection of personal rights and legitimate interests of Ukrainian citizens.