The Clinical Unit for the Treatment of Rape Cases has been opened and has started operating in Sarajevo Canton. The first unit of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina provides specialized healthcare to persons over the age of 18 who have survived rape in the Sarajevo Canton area.
Today, in the presence of numerous officials and members of the media, the Clinical Unit for the Treatment of Rape Cases in Sarajevo Canton was opened at the Public Institution General Hospital “Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakaš”. It is the first crisis centre in Bosnia and Herzegovina to provide coordinated and multidisciplinary support and treatment to rape survivors.
At the Unit, medical staff of the General Hospital provide healthcare to survivors in cooperation with judicial authorities, authorized officials of the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Internal Affairs, prosecutors, forensic experts and social workers. This ensures that survivors receive timely medical assistance and support in one place. The opening of the Unit marks an important step in establishing an institutional and multidisciplinary system for the protection, support and prosecution of rape cases in Sarajevo Canton.
The Result of Years of Efforts
The Unit was established as a result of years of work by institutions and organizations aimed at improving the system of protection and support for survivors of rape and sexual violence.
“This is the first time that a victim does not have to search for the system. In this situation, we are the ones looking for the victim and offering absolute protection, confidentiality and priority, as well as everything we, as medical professionals, can provide,” said Prim. Dr. Ismet Gavrankapetanović, Director of the General Hospital “Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakaš”, at the opening.
Jasmina Mujezinović, Executive Director of the Foundation of Local Democracy, recalled the long-term process of establishing the crisis centre and adopting the Protocol on Procedures in Cases of Rape in Sarajevo Canton. She also expressed her gratitude to the donors and institutions that supported the opening of the Unit.
“It is important that our joint efforts have resulted in a strategic step forward in the protection of victims of violence, particularly rape. Finally, victims can have confidence in the system. I would like to use this opportunity to encourage victims to report violence, including rape, because they will be protected. They will not be exposed to additional trauma, and after leaving the crisis centre, they will have the support of the non-governmental sector, namely the Foundation of Local Democracy, where they can seek legal assistance, psychological support and, if necessary, accommodation in a Safe House,” said Jasmina Mujezinović.
The Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina, operating under the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, launched an initiative in 2020 to establish crisis centres for victims of rape and sexual violence, based on the obligations Bosnia and Herzegovina assumed by ratifying the Istanbul Convention. As part of this initiative, the Agency signed cooperation agreements with healthcare institutions in Tuzla, Sarajevo and Mostar, provided initial capital investments for all three centres, and provided technical and professional assistance in developing the institutional framework for their operation.
The Foundation of Local Democracy (FLD) continued, in partnership with the Agency, its work on establishing an institutional support system for rape survivors. Through the project “Empower Her: Strengthening the Response to Sexual Violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” financially supported by the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UN Trust Fund), FLD has worked intensively over the past three years to improve the response to sexual violence and rape in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Protocol on Procedures in Cases of Rape
In November 2025, the Protocol on Procedures in Cases of Rape in Sarajevo Canton was signed. The Protocol includes procedures to be followed by each of the signatories:
- Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor’s Office
- Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Internal Affairs
- Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Health
- Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Labour, Social Policy, Displaced Persons and Refugees
- Public Institution General Hospital “Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakaš” Sarajevo
- Public Institution Cantonal Centre for Social Work Sarajevo
- Foundation of Local Democracy (FLD)
The opening of the Unit is the first step in implementing the Protocol. At the same time, FLD has established a Centre providing rape survivors in Sarajevo Canton with long-term legal, psychological and socioeconomic support, as well as accommodation, when necessary, in the Safe House operated by the Foundation.
Through the “Empower Her: Strengthening the Response to Sexual Violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina” project, FLD continues to contribute to the establishment of a comprehensive support system for rape survivors by supporting the signing of a Protocol in Tuzla Canton, delivering capacity-building training for service providers and protection actors throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, and raising public awareness of sexual violence and rape as a societal issue.
