Youth Power provides unconditional support to all women who have bravely decided to report sexual harassment and abuse, thereby highlighting the deep-rooted problems in our societies. Everyone has the right to live without sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse, and we all bear the responsibility for preventing such occurrences.
The countries in the region are still deeply patriarchal societies with a clear distribution of power where gender norms shape the lives of girls and women, as well as boys and men, to follow established patterns that dictate silence and acceptance because “it has always been that way,” where those in positions of power are not opposed, whether in the family, workplace, institutional, or educational settings.
It is important to emphasize that violence, harassment, and abuse occur on a daily basis, and most girls and women are not ready to report or speak out publicly. Milena Radulović, by speaking out publicly, has managed to create space for conversation and highlight these problems. She has become a symbol and highlighted the urgent need for investment in prevention, oversight, and improvement of procedures for protecting individuals who have suffered violence – a matter that concerns all of us, citizens, human rights organizations, and state institutions, which need to show greater sensitivity and readiness to act.
We strongly support the initiatives from the entire region for reporting perpetrators, which have gained significance following Milena’s brave response, and we believe this is the way to bring this issue to the forefront.
Youth Power, together with its partners, appeals to all organizations, whether private or state-owned, to strengthen their monitoring policies and direct support, and to develop systems oriented towards all those who have survived any form of sexual violence, harassment, exploitation, and abuse, encouraging them to report.
We appeal to all media, portals, and other communication channels to respect the privacy and dignity of all who report such acts in their reporting to protect them, as well as to all citizens on social networks, thereby contributing to avoiding the re-victimization of those who have survived trauma, and to avoid violating the honor of third parties who are indirectly or directly involved in the case. Sexual abuse, harassment, and exploitation do not expire, and we urge everyone to refrain from analyzing the timing of reporting the perpetrators.
We expect the relevant authorities to improve the system and act impartially, serving as an example to other victims of violence to rely on institutions, and we expect perpetrators to be prosecuted and appropriately punished.
The educational system is the first step of socialization after the family, shaping children and young people and teaching them norms of behavior. Therefore, Youth Power, through its long-standing work with young people, insists on changing social norms and behaviors, with a special focus on boys and men, and on involving and training educational staff on topics of gender equality, non-violence, and healthy lifestyles.
No one asks to be abused, harassed, or exploited, nor can they be blamed for the violence committed against them.
PrijaviNasilje #NisiSama #NisamTražila