Statement of the United Nations Country Team in Albania

Rape and sexual assault are considered severe human rights violations under International Human Rights Treaties the Government has committed too.  The sexual abuse of a teenage girl is a further case in an escalation of sexual violence against women and girls.  In Albania, our studies show that 50% of women and girls have experienced one form of violence in their lifetime.

As UN agencies we call on citizens, men and women, to ‘Speak Out’ to end these horrific abuses. We call on authorities, to make sure perpetrators are brought to justice.

We call on those who provide the specialised services to support a rape survivor - rapid access to emergency medical care, psycho-social and legal services- to work together, to treat women with dignity and support long term healing of women who experience abuse.

We call on the media to protect survivors identity and report responsibly on the case. It is everyone’s job. It’s time to do justice to sexual violence survivors!

UN Agencies in Albania strongly condemn the criminal offence and stand by all survivors of sexual violence.