CRIMINAL OFFENSES AGAINST SEXUAL FREEDOM - ASSESSMENT OF THE TESTIMONY OF JUVENILE VICTIMS

Abstract

Women in general, regardless of age, are exposed to a high risk of sexual violence. This group also includes minors, i.e. children. The paper points to certain significant international regulations, as well as the most important domestic regulations that provide protection to victims of sexual violence. The question important for court proceedings is being considered - to what extent can the testimony of children or minor victims of sexual violence be believed, given the fact that these victims are usually alone against the perpetrator of the crime to their detriment, as a rule, a person older than them. Through examples from individual court cases, the importance of evaluating the testimony of that category of victims as acceptable evidence for passing a conviction is indicated.