Croatian Government adopted the updated “Protocol in Cases of Sexual Violence” at the 181st session of congress held on September 4th 2014 at the proposal of the Office for Gender Equality.
“Protocol in Cases of Sexual Violence” is based on the laws and regulations of the Republic of Croatia, and on the obligations prescribed by the “National Policy for Gender Equality for the period from 2011 to 2015” and “Recommendation Rec (2002) 5 on the protection of women against violence in Council of Europe member states”.
The main objective of the “Protocol” is the introduction and implementation of standardized guidelines for all relevant bodies and institutions in the Republic of Croatia when dealing with the victims of sexual violence.
These relevant institutions in dealing with victims of sexual violence are: police, medical facilities (general and clinical hospitals, clinical hospital centers), judicial bodies (Court and State Attorney’s Office), social welfare centers, educational institutions and institutions that provide assistance and support in mental health care.
As a reminder, the Croatian Government first adopted the contents of the “Protocol” at its 64th meeting held on November 29th 2012, also at the suggestion of the Office for Gender Equality. However, with the entry into force of the new Penal Code, the Law on Amendments to the Law on Criminal Procedure, the Law on Social Welfare and Family Law, it was necessary to harmonize certain guidelines with the provisions of these laws, therefore, the Office for Gender Equality initiated the process of aligning the text of the Protocol, which is now in accordance to the said laws.
The updated “Protocol in Cases of Sexual Violence” can be found here. (Croatian version)
