Countless media stories have been shining a spotlight on the dangers facing vulnerable women and children as they flee Ukraine to neighbouring countries in search of safety and refuge. Since the Russian invasion began, more than three and a half million people have fled the country. Because men aged under 60 years old are required to stay in the country and fight, the majority of those fleeing are women and children.

Last week we wrote about how stories of desperate couples trying to reach their surrogate babies in war-torn Ukraine underscored the ethical issues with the surrogacy industry itself, which exploits and harms women and children.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has thrown the lives of Melbourne couple Jessica Van Nooten and her husband Kevin, into turmoil and chaos. The events which are occurring half a world away in eastern Europe have caused untold distress for the couple, who planned to travel to Ukraine and pick up their baby daughter Alba, born ten weeks early to a surrogate in February this year.

News this week from Ukraine that an eight-year-old child model and her thirteen-year-old social media influencer boyfriend had staged a “wedding” and moved in together sparked an outcry on social media.