Albanian Women Protest in Street Against Sexual Violence

Several hundred rights activists protested in Tirana on Thursday against sexual violence, after the country was shocked this week when police said they had arrested several teenagers and a 65-year-old school guard for abusing a 15-year-old girl for about two years. News reports showed how, instead of finding comfort, the family of the victim had encountered hostile graffiti written on a wall by unknown persons, allegedly blaming the victim.

Activists organised the protest under the slogans "You are not alone", "You have many sisters", and "The government is the rapist".

The protesters also condemned what they called the culture of silence and lack of empathy shown by wider society in Albania to the victims of sexual violence.

Photo: BIRN

Photo: BIRN

Photo: BIRN

Photo: BIRN

Photo: BIRN

Photo: BIRN
Photo: BIRN