A four-year analytical Case-based Surveillance Report from Barnahus Albania found that peer-sexual violence represents the most reported form of sexual violence against children. This means that the first sexual experience, especially for girls is rape, while for boys this is expressed mostly through touching their intimate parts. This new development raises serious concerns on the role that the family and the education sector play to inform and educate children and adolescents on sex education and healthy sexual lifestyle!
Tirana, 13 July 2023 – Children in Albania continue to remain at risk of sexual violence and exploitation due to the weak and insufficient institutional response from all institutions, especially the education sector and the justice system. The data shows that female children remain the main victims of sexual violence, while abusers are becoming younger in age. This is an indicator of the lack of sexual education and information on body integrity and healthy sexual relations, from both the education system and the family.
The report shows that 88 percent of sexual crimes reported to the Barnahus Albania were committed by a man or a boy, while the victims in 85% of cases are girls under the age of 18. Case analysis shows that 34 percent of sexual crimes against children are committed by another child under the age of 18, which is one of the most disturbing findings of the study and requires urgent addressing.
“The publication of the data from this four-year report is a very good opportunity for all decision-makers, policymakers, as well as the child protection officers, law enforcement and justice systems, to understand how far from providing support services are the institutions to protect and provide for children victims and perpetrators of crimes in Albania. We have insisted and will continue to insist that the Barnahus Model should be the main model in support of victims of sexual violence and children in conflict with the law.” – said Altin Hazizaj, Director of CRCA/ECPAT Albania at the opening of the round table.
Case-based Surveillance Report on Sexual Violence against Children – is an in-depth analysis of all cases that have been presented and handled by Barnahus Albania, a service of CRCA/ECPAT Albania. The analysed data belong to a period of 4 years, while in total 66 cases of sexual violence against children were examined. The study also examines the profile of child victims of sexual violence. From the data, it appears that rape is the most widespread form of sexual violence against girls, while for boys touching private parts is the main reported form. Educational, social, life factors and especially economic factors seem to be main contributors to sexual violence against children, even though most children live in families with both parents.
The data of the study was made public at the National Roundtable: Protecting the rights of child victims and of those in conflict with the law in Albania – organized by Barnahus Albania, in cooperation with the General Prosecutor’s Office and the Center for the Prevention of Crimes among Minors and Young People.
BARNAHUS Albania since its opening in 2019, has supported more than 200 child victims of sexual violence and children in conflict with the law with free legal, psycho-social, support for the empowerment of victims, parents, families, and communities affected by crime. Opened in September 2019 – Barnahus Albania is the first service in the country that brings together community services, child protection services, together with law enforcement and justice bodies in one place.
For more information, contact:
BARNAHUS Albania
CRCA/ECPAT Albania
Phone: 0675002025
E-mail: barnahus@crca.al OR crca@crca.al
