The Manual provides clear information on the rights and protection options available to persons who have survived sexual violence.
Victims of sexual violence often face numerous obstacles — from the consequences of the violence itself, feelings of continuing fear and mistrust, to the complexity of procedures before institutions. For this reason, it is important that a person who is considering reporting violence, or who is already involved in proceedings, has access to information about their rights and protection options.
The Manual explains what victims can expect during criminal proceedings — from reporting violence, the conduct of the police and prosecution, to the trial and the exercise of the right to compensation.
The following issues are addressed in particular:
• what reporting sexual violence looks like and how institutions act after a report is made; • what rights a victim has during the investigation and trial; • what protection measures may be applied to protect the victim’s privacy and safety; • how unnecessary repetition of traumatic testimony can be avoided; • what the roles of the lawyer, prosecutor, court, and other institutions are; • how the right to compensation can be exercised.
For persons who survived sexual violence during wartime, proceedings before institutions can be particularly difficult.
The availability of information about rights and procedures can help them better understand the process and the options available to them.
The Manual is intended for victims of sexual violence and those who support them, including judges, prosecutors, lawyers, police officers, social workers and other staff of courts and state prosecutor’s offices, as well as activists from non-governmental organizations.
By publishing this Manual, we aim to contribute to reducing the secondary victimization of victims and improving the conduct of participants in criminal proceedings.
The Manual was produced within the project “Together towards justice – legal, psychological, and social support for victims of war crimes”, implemented by Human Rights Action with the support of the European Union, through the regional project “EU Support to Confidence Building in the Western Balkans”, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme. The content of this report is the sole responsibility of Human Rights Action and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or UNDP.
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