Publishing the names of sexual abusers is being described as a medieval and inefficient method

Anton Noecaj, senior adviser at the Centre for Help Jurydice and Regional Development, says that establishing a public registry is not the right way to deal with sexual abuse.

“As far as the part and demand of the initiative involving the creation of a system where the names of people who have committed criminal acts of sexual abuse and harassment are being published, I think it is initially impossible, because we cannot copy other systems, the legal framework should adapt to the mentality we live in. Then if a person is charged with a criminal offense for sexual crimes, he is subject to a judicial process and on its basis he receives punishment. So to have such a list is the same as to allow citizens for an indecent act, these times belong to the Middle Ages, where people who have done indecent deeds are lynchus and spics from society because they are a harmful effect on society and infect society with immorality. We live in the 21st century and submit to European and international standards where human rights are respected”.

In addition, Noecaj says even images of sexual abuse should not appear in media and social networks, since it is contrary to journalism ethics as well as Kosovo's laws, reports Online Economy.

“... I see that recent social media images have begun to appear, especially social harassment, and even children's, are in conflict with journalism ethics and legislation in effect because such images dare not be transmitted... children are protected from showing images, because they can even be misused. The victim's identity must be preserved”.

A high number of cases of sexual violence have been reported in the country in recent days. In this case, the feminist newspaper “Grazeta” has launched a petition to the Parliament and Government, applying for a public registry of sexual abusers to be placed, as well as to make public their names. According to them, the registry provides protection for the survivors of violence and minimizes opportunities for the same act to repeat itself.

While, according to activist Leonidas Molyqaj, from the Centre for Information, Critics and Action (QIKA), this form is not effective, and could also hinder the trial of the case.

Various definitions of how this problem should be managed or how it should be solved and prevented. One of these has been the petition for the public registry, where all those convicted of sexual assault would be named. Apart from the petition, the idea of publishing names was promoted even if they weren't part of the registry. The reason why I don't see it as one of the mechanisms that would help discuss or resolve the issue of sexual harassment is two, and my attitude is principled, that despite knowing that the initiative has had a good purpose, I think such a form of the treatment of the case except it doesn't help it, can also prevent it. That's why I have some arguments, because I think in launching such a registry didn't show results”.

On the other hand, she says the publication of the records sends the individual to the airline from society. Therefore, Moliqaj says abusers should be punished by legal mechanisms, not by a popular trial.

The data in America has the market that's not the right form to deal with sexual assault issues. Even in countries where greater democracy does not apply this form...”

“ ...so commitment or lynching has been against effective. So if there's a link from society and institutions the odds are much more likely to repeat the case than someone who is reintegration, it's being reformed through state policies that should also be intended for improvement. So let's not get misunderstood, I think that each person or group of individuals who committed crimes of any kind, especially sexual crimes, should be indicted and sentenced according to law in power. Kosovo is already part of the Istanbul Convention, we have all mechanisms on how to treat the victim or the leaders of the work. Publishing more names speaks of a need for public punishment and revenge than establishing justice for girls and women”.

Moliqaj says such a approach would also affect reporting these cases.

Besides, it names this anti-feminist form.

Another argument, is that all women do not report sexual harassment, since harassment in small countries like Kosovo comes from people close to us, so they come from family members, professors, doctors, other family relations. Now imagine how it would affect reporting, the fact that you report a loved one and he's going to be published with pictures and data. Except it doesn't work out how the initiative is anti-feminist because the feminism I believe involves both men and women and is not aimed at punishing people, but we believe in social changes”