The Montenegrin Women's Lobby condemned "multiple sexual harassment, insults and threats directed by cardiologist KCCG Vladimir Peruničić to Gradska TV journalist Magdalena Čelanović."
"Such a vulgar, unethical, unprofessional act of addressing a doctor via text messages to journalist Čelanović can hardly be called scandalous, which in its essence it is, but it is also a reflection of the rigid patriarchal, primitive pattern of behavior of a man, who as a doctor should have a civilized and humane approach and conversation with all citizens. Unfortunately, another example and indicator that misogyny and sexism know no boundaries and level of education and that many so-called intellectuals arrogantly and stubbornly use their position of power to threaten and ridicule a woman as a human being with the right to choose and make personal decisions in order to protect her dignity and freedom of decision-making," said CŽL executive director Aida Petrović.
"It is devastating to learn that Dr. Vladimir Peruničić, in the messages he sends to journalist Magdalena Čelanović, does not recognize a female human being, but rather wants to discredit and humiliate her with inappropriate and extremely offensive, vulgar messages, which has the ultimate goal of reducing a woman, in this case a journalist, to the level of a sexual object that should satisfy his male sexual fantasies! This unacceptable act of sexual violence against journalist Čelanović is given additional weight by the fact that Dr. Peruničić works in the largest health institution in Montenegro and that, in addition to his work, his behavior and attitude towards citizens should certainly send credible and encouraging messages of respect, understanding and humanity without undermining his own or the institutional capacity of the KCCG," she added.
"We call on the authorities from the Clinical Center of Montenegro and the Ministry of Health to urgently and adequately react within their jurisdiction, in order to prevent and avoid such or similar situations of sexual harassment in order to protect the rights, safety and dignity of journalist Čelanovic and any other person who may become a victim of sexual harassment, more precisely verbal rape and humiliation! We also call on the institutions to objectively and impartially, and based on evidence, sanction Dr. Peruničić in a timely manner, so that Justice is served and the message is sent that sexual violence is unacceptable and subject to sanctions," the statement reads.
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