Newly analyzed data from the jaktrestrame.cz app reveals that a total of 643 individuals were sentenced for rape in the Czech Republic from 2016 to the end of 2022. The data, sourced from the Ministry of Justice, indicates that 46% of the convicted individuals received suspended sentences, with an additional 11% receiving suspended sentences accompanied by probation. In 40% of cases, the courts imposed prison sentences. However, caution is urged when interpreting these statistics, as the app does not delve into the nuanced details of individual cases.

The complexity of sentencing becomes apparent when examining cases involving crimes such as forcing intercourse, rape of a child over 15, or rape with a weapon. In these instances, courts opted for probation or supervised probation as the primary punishment in 66% of cases, while prison sentences were imposed in 33% of cases.

For offenses committed by perpetrators inflicting serious harm or victimizing a child under 15, the sentencing dynamics shifted. In 24% of such cases, probation or supervised probation was imposed, while a majority, 74%, received prison sentences. It’s crucial to note that these figures exclude concurrent offenses, where an offender commits multiple offenses before being convicted.

Recent public outcry has intensified following a case involving the repeated rape of a minor by her stepfather, who ultimately received a suspended sentence. The first-instance court initially sentenced the stepfather to three years in prison for rape and child pornography charges. However, the appeals panel of the Regional Court in Brno reduced the verdict to a three-year suspended sentence with a five-year probation period. The decision, citing an expert opinion suggesting minimal negative impact on the victim, has been contested by one of the experts involved.

The victim, grappling with severe psychological issues, attempted suicide after the verdict, as revealed by her statement to Seznam Zpravy. In response, the Pod Svicnem NGO has initiated a fundraising campaign, amassing over CZK 4.9 million to support the survivor. The case highlights the need for a nuanced examination of sentencing practices and their impact on survivors’ well-being.

Article by Prague Forum