The discussion organized by the Ministry of Social Security and Labor is attended by many high-ranking representatives not only from Lithuania, but also from the European Institute for Gender Equality, the state institutions of Poland, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine, including the United Nations Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Conflicts, Pramila Patten.
“The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights declares that one in ten women from the age of 15 has experienced sexual violence, and one in 20 has been raped. With this discussion, we aim to bring together experts from neighboring countries and representatives of civil society to share good practices on how to help survivors of sexual violence in war.
It is very important to solve this terrible crime and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Minister of Social Security and Labor Monika Navickienė told the audience.
Sexual violence remains an under-visible and under-addressed problem in our society. A large number of its cases are determined by gender stereotypes, non-violent conflict resolution skills, lack of recognition of manifestations of violence. Due to its brutality and impunity in conflict situations, it takes even more brutal forms and has immeasurable damage to those who experience it.
Survivors of sexual violence usually do not seek support, hide because they are not guaranteed anonymity and fear re-traumatization or even being blamed for the abuse. It is the application immediately after experiencing sexual violence that increases the chances of gathering the necessary evidence in a criminal case. Non-governmental organizations working with victims of sexual violence provide emotional support, legal and psychological counseling.
The situation of sexual violence in Lithuania
In recent years, in Lithuania, special attention has been paid to issues of protection against domestic violence policy. According to Minister M.Navickienė, the institutions managed to come to an agreement and we have a fundamentally updated Law on Protection from Domestic Violence. It enshrines a preventive measure of protection against violence – a protection against violence order, which separates a person who poses a risk of violence from a person who is at risk of violence for 15 days.
From 2023 July 1, when the new law came into effect, until 2023. October 2 we already have 5468 issued warrants. The dynamics of violence are diverse, but women suffer the most from domestic violence (79.2%), men – less so (20.8%).
Currently, assistance is provided throughout Lithuania – there are 24 accredited institutions that can provide high-quality and efficient specialized complex assistance to victims. From July 1 of this year Specialized complex assistance centers worked with a total of 9922 persons. In the assessment of 2022 and 2023 the results of the same period, The number of clients of specialized complex assistance centers increased almost 3 times.
“Since this year, domestic violence prevention commissions have been working in every municipality. In this way, the cooperation between NGOs and state institutions is strengthened, and the provision of services has become more efficient for both victims and persons who pose a risk. We are also pleased with the activities of the Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Council, which is a public advisory institution under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour.
The Council examines the issues of domestic violence and submits proposals to the Seimas, the Government, ministries, other institutions and organizations on how to prevent violent cases,” said Minister M. Navickienė.
Aid to Ukraine
The Center for Combating Human Trafficking and Exploitation together with the Ministry of Social Security and Labor implements the project “Complex assistance to victims of sexual abuse from Ukraine.
With the help of Eurojust, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine have established joint investigation team (JTG) to investigate war crimes, crimes against humanity and other international crimes. Europol has joined Eurojust and the Prosecutor’s Office of the International Criminal Court as a JTG participant and will provide JTG members with analytical and legal assessments, support the collection and analysis of data lawfully obtained from open sources, and carry out a project on the analysis of major international crimes.
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2024-09-22 11:06:50
