In a significant step towards addressing the prevalent issue of sexual violence, proFem, a prominent Czech organization, officially opened the country’s first specialized center for victims in Prague. The PORT centre, situated in the Prague-Brevnov district, is set to commence operations on January 22, offering critical services such as crisis assistance, treatment, counseling, and therapy. The facility includes a crisis apartment, but securing adequate funding remains a challenge, warns proFem director Jitka Polakova.

Recent surveys indicate that 54% of women in the Czech Republic have encountered sexual harassment or violence. Alarming statistics further reveal that over 900 cases of rape were reported to the police last year, marking a record high. In response to the pressing need identified by the community, the center aims to bridge a crucial gap in the existing support system.

Director Polakova emphasizes the long-lasting psychological impacts of sexual trauma and highlights the absence of dedicated services for female clients. While medical care addresses physical effects, the center’s focus extends to providing therapy and crisis intervention to aid in processing the trauma, acknowledging that the current system often hinders such comprehensive care.

The center’s services will cater to individuals aged 16 and above, welcoming both women and men, who constitute 8 to 10% of proFem’s clientele. The facility, run exclusively by female staff, plans to commence operations gradually, with a crisis intervention expert being the first point of contact for victims.

Securing an annual operating budget of CZK 18 million remains a challenge, prompting the organization to roll out services progressively. While subsidies from state and local governments, along with contributions from donors and grants, provide partial support, a systematic funding approach is crucial. Government Human Rights Commissioner Klara Simackova Laurencikova advocates for secure, permanent, and sustainable funding, emphasizing the aim to integrate psychosocial and crisis services into the system.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is actively working on an amendment to social services to establish a more structured funding framework. Despite the encouraging strides, a recent report by Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) underscores the lack of dedicated services for sexual violence victims in the Czech Republic, emphasizing the urgency to implement the national strategy for gender equality formulated three years ago. The strategy outlines the establishment of services in major cities, a crisis line, and extensive public awareness campaigns, signaling a collective commitment to combat sexual violence in the country.

Article by Prague Forum