KYIV, Ukraine In a bold step toward liberal reform, a growing movement in Ukraine is challenging long-standing censorship laws by calling for the decriminalization of adult content. Spearheaded by Svitlana Dvornikova, a popular Ukrainian model and OnlyFans creator, the initiative has gathered over 25,000 verified signatures reaching the official requirement for review by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
The petition, submitted via the Presidential petition platform on June 27, seeks governmental support for Draft Law No. 12191, which aims to eliminate criminal penalties for the production and distribution of consensual adult material.
In her message to the president, Dvornikova emphasized that the law must distinguish between exploitation and victimless, voluntary acts between adults.
“It’s time we stopped persecuting people for consensual expression. What causes no harm should never be a crime,” she wrote.
Why the Law Needs to Change
At the moment, Ukrainian law classifies the creation and dissemination of pornography under Article 301 of the Criminal Code, a statute inherited from Soviet-era morality policy. It prescribes prison sentences ranging from 3 to 5 years for those found guilty of such actions even if the material is created consensually by adults.
However, enforcement has proven selective and opaque, often giving rise to corruption and legal uncertainty. Dvornikova highlights in the petition that some law enforcement officers are allegedly exploiting the ambiguity for personal gain using vague accusations to pressure adult content creators or demand bribes.
She further argues that legal reform would align Ukraine more closely with modern democratic standards. “We are not criminals. We pay our taxes, we support the economy, and we do no harm,” she wrote. “It is time to move away from Soviet-era repression and into the 21st century.”
Economic Impact: A Billion-Hryvnia Industry
Beyond legal and moral arguments, the case for decriminalization also rests heavily on economic logic.
According to estimates by the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO), legalizing adult content could add over 509 million UAH to the national budget annually. This figure includes taxes from platforms such as OnlyFans and local adult content production, which have seen exponential growth since the start of the war.
Dvornikova notes that OnlyFans creators alone contribute over 1 million USD annually to the Ukrainian economy. "Despite fulfilling our obligations as taxpayers, we still live under the threat of prosecution," she said. "We’re not just fighting for legality we’re fighting for dignity and financial freedom.”
The BRDO also reported that nearly 5,000 people are currently employed in Ukraine’s webcam and online content industry, with the majority operating in legal gray areas that put them at daily risk of criminal charges.
Support from Lawmakers and the Public
In late 2024, Ukrainian lawmakers introduced Draft Law No. 12191 to decriminalize adult content under specific, regulated conditions. The bill proposes full decriminalization of consensual adult pornography, while keeping strong restrictions on child exploitation, non-consensual content, and violence.
The legislation gained initial backing from several parliamentary committees, and was welcomed by civil society organizations advocating for freedom of expression, digital rights, and women’s economic empowerment.
Public opinion appears to be shifting as well. Social media platforms and online forums have exploded with support for Dvornikova’s petition, with users pointing out the contradictions between Ukraine’s censorship laws and the widespread consumption of adult content.
“It’s absurd,” wrote one commenter on Reddit. “We’re among the top users of global adult platforms, yet our laws treat content creators like criminals.”
Another noted: “This is about more than porn it’s about control. It’s about whether a person has the right to use their body and voice without fear.”
The Personal Cost of Outdated Laws
For Dvornikova, the fight is deeply personal. Despite openly declaring her income and paying taxes, she says she has faced repeated legal harassment, including threats of prosecution under current laws.
“I'm proud to contribute to Ukraine’s budget,” she wrote. “But how can I feel safe or respected when the same government I support considers my work illegal? I want to live in a country where my rights are protected not sold to the highest bidder.”
A Call to Action
Now that the required 25,000-signature mark has been passed, President Zelensky is obligated to issue an official response. While the path toward full legalization is still uncertain, this petition marks a significant step forward in the national conversation.
With war and political uncertainty already testing Ukraine’s resilience, many see this moment as a test of its democratic values.
🔗 Sign the Petition and Support the Cause
If you believe in freedom of expression, individual autonomy, and reforming outdated laws, you can support this initiative by signing the petition:
