As many as 555 offenses that affected the sexual life were recorded in Moldova last year. This is by 5.7% more than in 2021. According to the Police, about 230 cases of these were rapes, while the others were violent actions of a sexual character. Given the importance of assisting the victims of sexual violence in an integrated and needs-centered way, the authorities decided, together with UN Women, to create and pilot the first specialized service of this kind in Ungheni district, IPN reports.

Within the Integrated Service, there will be piloted specialized services for assisting victims of sexual violence, in particular the taking of biological samples and medical-legal examination of these, psychological assistance for overcoming situations of risk, protection in situations of risk and information and legal support. The beneficiaries will also be referred to specialized residential services or day services, if necessary.

The personnel of the Service will consist of a specialized psychologist and a social assistant. The designated persons who will provide integrated specialized assistance to victims of sexual violence will be the judges, prosecutors, doctors, medical examiners, lawyers and other specialists whose legal duties envision participation in the examination of cases of sexual violence.

The given project was designed as part of the Eva Project. The costs associated with the piloting of the first Integrated Service intended for victims of sexual violence in Ungheni and its maintaining during the first two years of work will be covered by UN Women.

In Moldova, sexual assault remains a sensitive issue that requires more visibility and engagement. National estimates according to the Violence Against Women in the Family study conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics show that 63% of the women and girls were subject to psychological, physical or sexual violence by the husband/partner and this phenomenon affected them throughout their life, starting from the age of 15.