The arrest of a riding trainer and a famous stuntman suspected of rape and sexual harassment is the latest in a series of events showing that many women and girls are facing a huge problem and are most unsafe at places where they should be protected. The only way to fight against such shameful, inadmissible, and illegal acts is to talk about it openly, but also for women who muster courage, to receive the full support of the whole society, said the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković.

It takes extraordinary strength to talk about the personal horror that these young women went through and convey what they experienced from someone who enjoys respect and authority in the community. It takes great courage to speak out regardless of the pain, humiliation, fear, shame, and trauma that one must go through once again. What is most important now is the full support of everyone because it is evident that all those who spoke publicly contributed to the development of awareness about the necessity of reporting violence, despite all the patriarchal patterns and pressures to cover it up. The Commissioner pointed out that it is the duty of all of us, institutions, bodies, and organizations that deal with the position of women in society, as well as the media, to encourage the victims and give full support without censure. Once again, it has been demonstrated that when sensitized and expert people work in the MIA, and when the media report properly, there is some progress, emphasized Janković.