JL v Italy: The ECtHR is finally recognising victim blaming in cases of sexual violence

By Sophie Girardini

Source: pch.vector on Freepick

This year the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) finally addressed victim-blaming and secondary victimisation of survivors of sexual violence by national courts throughout their criminal proceedings. In February the Court addressed the secondary victimisation in a sexual abuse case regarding a minor in NÇ v Turkey, and in March the secondary victimisation of a ‘not especially vulnerable woman’ in JL v Italy. This is a huge step. Condemning national courts for upholding presumptions and stereotypes of female sexuality and holding them accountable for their wrongdoings has been long overdue. But did the Court really go far enough in expanding its recognition? More...