Public communication about sexual violence must protect victims, not revictimize them

In the context of the press release issued by the General Police Inspectorate (GPI) regarding the investigation of a case involving a 19-year-old woman, the International Center "La Strada" condemns the way in which the circumstances of the case were presented and calls for a review of public communication practices in such situations. Institutional communication must not contribute to perpetuating stereotypes and prejudices about sexual violence, nor should it revictimize those affected.

The GPI press release is problematic for several reasons:

Failure to clearly identify the nature of the offence under investigation. The institution does not explicitly state that it is investigating a rape case, instead using vague language about the subject of the complaint. Cases of sexual violence cannot be presented to the public as alleged "consensual sexual relations" under the pretext of respecting the presumption of innocence. Such an approach risks privileging the perspective of those under investigation from the outset of public communication while minimizing the seriousness of the alleged offence.

The focus is placed on the victim's behaviour rather than the alleged offence. The press release includes information that the victim allegedly invited the young men to her home, consumed alcohol with them, met them through social media, and had previously been in an intimate relationship with one of them. These details do not clarify the facts under investigation; instead, they shift attention to the victim's behaviour, reinforcing the perception that she bears some responsibility for what happened.

The language used creates a misleading public perception. The press release states that the individuals concerned "allegedly engaged in sexual acts" with the victim without clarifying that the investigation concerns whether those acts were non-consensual. Moreover, given that the victim was reportedly under the influence of alcohol, the issue of consent must be assessed with the utmost care. Institutional communication should not imply the existence of valid consent before the facts have been established through the investigation.

References to the victim's sexual history are irrelevant. Mentioning that the victim had previously been in an intimate relationship with one of the suspects has no relevance to determining whether consent existed in relation to the acts under investigation and has no place in an official press release. A fundamental principle promoted, including in police training, is that consent given in the past does not constitute consent to any future sexual act.

Investigating sexual violence cases is not limited to forensic medical examinations. Establishing the circumstances of a rape case requires the collection and assessment of all relevant evidence. The absence of physical injuries or signs of force cannot be interpreted as proof that consent existed.

The presumption of innocence must be balanced with victims' rights. Respect for the presumption of innocence is a fundamental principle of criminal proceedings. However, it does not justify public communication that shifts attention away from the alleged offence and onto the victim's behaviour. Institutional communication must strike a balance between the rights of those under investigation and the rights of victims to protection, dignity, and an objective investigation.

In light of the above, we call on the General Police Inspectorate to:

Withdraw the published press release, as it is inconsistent with the principles of responsible communication and ethical standards for reporting on cases of sexual violence.

Acknowledge the institutional communication failures and publish a revised statement that objectively reflects the facts under investigation, avoids perpetuating stereotypes about victims, and includes information about the specialized support services available to victims.

Review its internal policies and practices on public communication regarding sexual violence cases, including by developing clear standards for institutional communication to prevent similar situations in the future.

Furthermore, the International Center "La Strada" recalls that, pursuant to Government Decision No. 508 of 19 July 2023, all cases from the Călărași district must be referred to the Regional Integrated Service in Ungheni, where victims can access multidisciplinary specialized assistance. In this case, we note the failure to comply with Government Decision No. 508/2023, as the territorial Police Inspectorate did not refer the case to the specialized service immediately after the complaint was registered, as required by the approved sectoral procedures.

We reiterate that the purpose of this service is to ensure a coordinated, professional, and victim-centred response, enabling victims to receive medical, psychological, legal, and forensic assistance in one location while minimizing the risk of retraumatization throughout the investigation process.

Women and girls affected by sexual violence can seek support and report incidents by calling the Women's and Girls' Trust Line at 0 8008 8008. The service is free of charge, confidential, and provides information, counselling, and referrals to specialized support services.