Brajović: Slow response of courts to sexual violence destroys lives

A system burdened with dysfunctionality unfortunately leads in the long term to institutional discouragement of victims from reporting violence, said Danijela Brajović, member of the Presidency of the European Union Women's Forum.

She said that the slow, mild or completely absent response of courts to sexual abuse of women and minors cannot be viewed solely as a legal oversight, it is a systemic problem that directly affects the destruction of human lives.

"Both in the past and today, we are witnessing the same devastating matrix as victims go through years of institutional challenges waiting for justice, while finally convicted perpetrators of criminal acts often remain at large due to the postponement of the execution of sentences," Brajović pointed out.

The European Union member emphasized that official research warns of the harsh reality.

"Every fifth woman in Montenegro has suffered physical or sexual violence, while every tenth child has experienced some form of sexual exploitation. Human lives and the safety of our most vulnerable categories must not be victims of institutional inertia and administrative comfort. Therefore, it is of crucial importance that all court proceedings in cases of sexual and gender-based violence are resolved as soon as possible," she said in a press release.

Brajović says that it is necessary to ensure that convicted perpetrators of these crimes are immediately sent to serve their sentences, without the possibility of unjustified delay, with clear determination of responsibility within the judicial system.

"This is an appeal to end the institutional agony and take urgent action. No one's life can and must not wait for sluggish and delayed court procedures," she concluded.