VEKIĆ: INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE TO SEXUAL VIOLENCE MUST BE STRENGTHENED

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 17 /SRNA/ – Sexual violence, particularly rape, is one of the most extreme forms of violence against women, and a stronger support system must be provided for victims, Maja Vekić, director of the Republika Srpska Gender Equality Center, has stressed in her statement.

At a meeting with Assistant Minister for Health Care Dejan Đokanović and Assistant Minister for Social Protection Vladimir Makarić, Vekić also warned that sexual violence was very rarely reported because of fear of stigma and judgment.

"That is why it is necessary to ensure a holistic and empathetic approach when working with survivors," Vekić said.

The meeting, held in Banja Luka on Thursday, focused on improving the institutional response to sexual violence and ways to establish the first center for victims of sexual violence in Republika Srpska, the Republika Srpska Gender Equality Center said in a statement.

As the coordinating body designated by the Government, the Republika Srpska Gender Equality Center will monitor the implementation in Republika Srpska of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

The Center will continue working intensively with all relevant institutions in Republika Srpska to strengthen the system's response to violence against women and domestic violence.