Moldovan government approved decision on piloting regional integrated service for victims of sexual violence

The government has approved the decision to pilot the Regional Integrated Service for Victims of Sexual Violence, developed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection with the support of UN Women, within the EVA Project "Promoting Gender Equality in Cahul and Ungheni Districts" funded by the European Union and implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNICEF Moldova.

According to data from the General Police Inspectorate, 555 sexual crimes were registered in 2022, or 5.7% more cases than in 2021. At the regional level, statistical data provided by law enforcement bodies reveal that during 2017-2022, in the districts of Ungheni, Fălești, Sîngerei, Călărași, Nisporeni and Telenești 539 sexual offences, including rape, have been reported. It is presumed that the number of crimes is much higher due to underreporting by victims, stereotypes and lack of trust in state services.

By ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), the Republic of Moldova has committed to significantly reducing all forms of violence and improving state responses to violence, including through the establishment of appropriate reference services which are highly specialized and easily accessible to victims of sexual violence, which ensures medical and forensic examination in decent conditions, as well as the legal and psychological counselling of victims.

Thus, the first Regional Integrated Service for Victims of Sexual Violence will be piloted by UN Women for a period of 2 years and will provide medical, legal, psychological and social assistance in a single location, for victims of sexual violence from Ungheni, Fălești, Sîngerei, Călărași, Nisporeni and Telenești districts.