Justice Minister Alina Gorghiu said on Wednesday that society received „a good, healthy message about sexual offenses,” adding that each act causes trauma for years.

„Sex crimes are absolutely heinous. Today [Wednesday], society received a good, healthy message about sex crimes! And I’m sure it is just the beginning! Each act causes a lot of pain, trauma for years, soul wounds. Most offenders leave victim after victim. If the state institutions don’t intervene, they will not stop,” wrote Alina Gorghiu on her Facebook page.

According to the minister, a survey commissioned by the Justice Ministry shows that almost half of Romanians place sexual violence at level 10 of seriousness in Romanian society on a scale of 1 to 10, „the highest possible.”

The survey also shows that 94% of the persons interviewed believe that it is appropriate to issue a protection order in cases of sexual assault, and 95% agree with expanding the number of situations in which the justice system can issue protection orders to prevent aggressors from approaching victims.

„Victims must be supported to report abuse. They must be safe after they report! They must have financial support through the vouchers that the Justice Ministry issues up to a maximum of 18,500 lei for urgent needs, from the money taken from the criminals! This is what a responsible and serious society looks like,” says Alina Gorghiu.

According to the minister, prevention is very important.

„Knowing what are the facts that you can be a victim of, what you can do, what legal rights you have, whom to turn to. In schools, universities, in the workplace: at the first complaint, you have to react,” Gorghiu says, adding that „too many women” have experienced fear at some point in their lives.

„That is why we have prepared, at the Justice Ministry, the Guide on reporting violence and sexual harassment. It will help anyone who is in a difficult situation,” the minister announced.

„Romanian state institutions must take the signals they receive very seriously! And if victims feel they have no one to talk to, they should know that the door is open at the Justice minister! I am in the minister’s chair to listen and help,” Gorghiu said.

Sociologist Alfred Bulai, a former professor at National School of Political and Administrative Studies (SNSPA), was detained on Wednesday after being heard at the 2nd Police Station in Bucharest in the case regarding the abusive use of office for sexual purposes and sexual assault, judicial sources told AGERPRES.

According to a journalistic investigation by Snoop website, Alfred Bulai allegedly sexually harassed several female students.

AGERPRES