Canada allocated an additional one million dollars to assist the international community in investigating sexual crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, according to a report by CTV News.

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said Canada “will provide funds to the International Criminal Court to help investigate sexual violence by Russian forces against Ukrainian women in the occupied territories, as well as crimes against children.”

Ten officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, along with Canadian civilian law enforcement experts, assisted in investigating war crimes in Ukraine, including sexual violence committed by Russian forces, according to the report.

Global Affairs Canada stated that this money “can be used to help fund specialized investigations into sexual violence and to protect victims who may be witnesses in war crimes cases committed by Russia in Ukraine.”

Sexual violence is Russia’s weapon in Ukraine

Joly discussed during a meeting held in Ottawa earlier this month with Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde, the need to treat Russian forces who use sexual violence as a weapon as war criminals.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Joly said that 10 Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers will help gather evidence proving Russian army officers raped Ukrainian women.

Linde said Sweden sent “experts in investigating sexual crimes” to assist the International Criminal Court in investigating war crimes.

The Ukrainian ambassador to Canada told members of parliament earlier this month that Russia uses sexual violence against women and children as a weapon of war, according to CTV News.

Joly added: “The terror and fear that women are subjected to is unacceptable.”