Operational team: Lekić relativized child sexual abuse, belittled the dignity of victims of sexual crimes

The Operational Team for Combating Domestic Violence and Violence against Women addressed the President of the Bar Association of Montenegro with the initiative to examine the worthiness of lawyer Damir Lekić, after analyzing his guest appearance on the show "Jutro" on TV Prva.

This is stated in the statement of the team, which was submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

"In his public appearance, attorney Lekić relativized child sexual abuse, belittled the dignity of victims of sexual offenses, and downplayed the importance of general and special prevention of criminal sanctions. Instead of acting in the interest of justice and contributing to the rule of law and respect for the law, which is the foundation of professional ethics and responsibility of lawyers, in public Lekić minimized the consequences of serious criminal offenses of sexual abuse of minors," the statement said.

The Operational Team for Combating Domestic Violence and Violence against Women added that it is unacceptable and dishonorable to trivialize the feelings and severity of the consequences of violence suffered by a child exposed to multiple rapes.

"The statement that 'during the criminal proceedings, he watched that same child in the courtroom and it seemed good to him' is deeply incompatible with moral, professional and ethical standards. We remind you that, in accordance with the Code of Professional Ethics for Lawyers, every lawyer has an obligation to preserve the reputation of the legal profession, his own integrity and contribute to the improvement of the general legal culture in his professional and public activities. Every member of society, and especially a representative of the legal profession, must be aware of his responsibility and shape his public statements accordingly," the statement reads.

The Operational Team for Combating Domestic Violence and Violence against Women states that, in order to preserve the reputation of the profession it represents, it calls on the Bar Association to investigate whether the statements of attorney Lekić are in accordance with the dignity and ethics of the legal profession.

"At a time when we witness the prosecution of sex offenders for crimes that leave lasting consequences for victims almost every day, such public statements make the purpose of punishment meaningless, relativize the obligation to respect the law, diminish the expression of social condemnation and weaken citizens' trust in the legal profession. Punishment is more than a repressive measure, it is an act of justice, recognition of the victim's suffering and confirmation of the strength of the legal order," said the Operational Team for Combating Domestic Violence and Violence against Women.