The launch of the asistentavictime.ro platform, a vital resource for victims

PRESS RELEASE

Constanta, 18 November 2024

Romania joins international efforts to support victims of sexual crimes on the occasion of the International Day for the Prevention and Cure of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation by launching the platform www.asistentavictime.ro, developed by the Association for Victims of Sexual Crimes, with the support of UNICEF in Romania.

A step towards change.

The platform is not just a technological tool, but an open window to awareness, support and justice. Through it, the association aims to shed light on the cruel truth of sexual abuse of children and young people, highlight the challenges of the current system and offer real solutions to victims and the communities they belong to.

The courage to speak. The case that shook a community.

On November 14, 2024, during the press conference organized by the Association for Victims of Sexual Offenses at the Zi de Bine community center in Bucharest for the launch of the platform https://asistentavictime.ro, a shocking case was presented that emphasizes the harsh realities of sexual abuse. The story of the teacher from Constanța county, who abused his students for years, shows not only the scale of the crime, but also the exhausting struggle of children, families and the community that chose to stand up for the truth.

The case brings to light the courage of some people who did not stop in the face of obstacles: Georgiana Frațilă, the director of the high school in Dobromir, and the psychologist Sorina Vrana, who were with the children during the most difficult period of their lives. But it also shows the dark response of some community members, who stigmatized the victims and defended the perpetrator. Therefore, high school teachers either became witnesses and supporters of the child victims, or continued to side with the teacher suspected of sexual assault and corruption, blaming the students who made the disclosure and even assaulting them during the criminal trial. It is a reality that is difficult to accept, but necessary to improve through projects that help communities to realize that the healing or worsening of trauma depends on our reaction.

Questions that demand answers and solutions.

The event was more than a ceremony, it was a call to action. Crucial questions were asked:

• Why don't children talk about abuse?
• How can we protect and encourage them to reveal the truth?
• What do we need to do to make justice more empathetic and efficient?

International experts responded, such as:

Prof. Univ. Dr. Irit Hershkovitz, researcher at Haifa University in Israel and mentor of the first team of specialized investigators in Romania. The model is based on the techniques contained in the NICHD – Revised protocol for hearing child victims of sexual crimes, and the training process was carried out at the initiative and with the support of the Association for Victims of Sexual Crimes.

Jannice Ceccucci, assistant professor and forensic specialist in the School of Health Professions and Education, Utica, New York. The expert traveled, together with the VIS team, this year, visiting forensic services and institutes in Romania for the purpose of research and professional training for interacting with the most vulnerable victims of sexual violence.

A call to each of us.

On this day of November 18, let's not forget that each of us has an important role. With every gesture, every word, every action, we can build a support network for victims of sexual abuse. Parents, educators, teachers, psychologists, social and school workers, police officers, prosecutors, judges, journalists and every member of the community can help create an environment where victims are encouraged to speak, because together we fight for their rights. We can turn suffering into hope and silence into courage and the power to change.

You can watch the full recording of the event, here:

If you want to talk about sexual violence with a professional ready to help, send an email to: help@asistentavictime.ro