A few months ago in Tepelena, a young 13-year-old girl reported that she was being sexually violated and abused by her school teacher. Coming forward with such information must have taken immense strength and this young lady should be applauded. But the story does not end there.
The court acquitted her teacher of all counts of sexual violence and assault yet today, The Child Rights Centre Albania (CRCA) released a statement that the girl in question and her family had received threats against them
On the night of the 16th of September 2018, her family home was shot at, but thankfully no one was hurt. This was obviously designed to scare the girl and her family, and one cannot begin to imagine the psychological stress that this must be having/
According to the statement, The Municipality of Memaliaj and the Police are providing immediate protection to the girl and her family, but this is quite simply not good enough.
CRCA said:
“CRCA Albania is outraged at the fact that an adolescent girl, who had the courage to denounce a case of sexual harassment, today is experiencing such a life-threatening situation in the community she lives in. We see with concern the lack of support from local government institutions, but moreover, the Police Authority does not seem to have done its job to inform and discuss with the community this situation and eliminate conflicts and threats that can arise when such cases are reported.”
Over the last two years, the CRCA has been requesting action from Parliament regarding the adoption of amendments to the Criminal Code that would seek to provide more protection for victims of sexual violence and harassment. They have asked for the following:
1. The Albanian Parliament shall approve through an accelerated procedure the changes requested
by CRCA Albania to the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code;
2. The National Agency for Child Protection and the National Police Authority should immediately put under their protection the 13-year-old adolescent.
We have seen too many deaths of women at the hands of their abusers in the last year, let us not add another to the list.
“Violence against children threatens their development, wellbeing and advancement in society. The Albanian Government has the duty to protect and care for all children who denounce sexual violence against them. It’s time to act!”
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