More than 60 organisations, including the Filia Centre and academics, are calling on the Superior Council of Magistracy to publish anonymised final court decisions on sexual offences, including measures to protect victims from identification and retraumatisation.
According to a press release of the Filia Centre sent to AGERPRES on Monday, the petition for anonymised publication of court decisions on sexual offences can be signed by those interested on https://campaniamea.declic.ro/petitions/justitie-transparenta-in-cazurile-de-violenta-sexuala.
"The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) demands that justice is not only done, but that we see when it is done. However, in Romania, the plenary of the Superior Council of Magistracy decided to exempt from publication the decisions handed down in cases concerning sexual offences (2009, 2013, 2022). For a safer society for girls and women, it is essential that the public and the press have access to this information: what crimes are punished by the state, what kind of sentences are given to offenders, how many of them are suspended, in how many cases preventive measures have been taken, in how many cases compensation has been requested and obtained for the victims, what support measures are provided to them," Filia Centre representatives said.
They also believe that anonymised publication of court decisions helps to track the long-term impact of legislative changes to protect victims of sexual offences.
A 2021 report by the Judicial Inspectorate shows that between 2014 and 2020 there were multiple cases where prosecutors and judges decided, based on sexist and racist arguments, that child victims had consented to their own rape. Often, victims come from vulnerable backgrounds and do not trust authorities to report sexual abuse. Victims need to see that sex offenders are held accountable and that justice is done with respect for the rights of girls and women, Filia Centre representatives added.
The petition is initiated by the Network for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and supported by several organisations, including: Filia Centre, Front/Feminism Romania Association and Transcena Association.
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