This report presents key findings and recommendations for improving access to healthcare and justice for survivors of sexual violence in Romania, with a particular focus on the development and operation of sexual violence intervention centres in Norway and Romania.
The report is based on study visits to five sexual violence intervention centres, as well as participatory roundtable discussions between Romanian professionals and Norwegian experts. (Photo: iStockphoto)
Developed by a Norwegian expert group in consultation with Romanian stakeholders, the report highlights both achievements and ongoing challenges associated with establishing and operating sexual violence intervention centres in Romania and draws comparative insight from similar centres in Norway.
Highlights from the report
- The report was developed in close dialogue with Romanian stakeholders, including NGOs working with Roma communities.
- It is based on study visits to five sexual violence intervention centres, as well as participatory roundtable discussions between Romanian professionals and Norwegian experts.
- The recommendations were refined using the Delphi method – a structured process that gathers input from local stakeholders through several rounds to build consensus. The process was facilitated by the Aspacia Foundation (Spain)
- The report aligns with international standards and guidelines, including those from the Council of Europe, WHO, the Istanbul Convention, and EU Directive 2024/1385.
- The report provides both short- and long-term recommendations, and it also distinguishes between (1) key recommendations and (2) enabling conditions necessary for effective implementation.
The report highlights the following focus areas:
- Raising public awareness about sexual intervention centres
- Improve accessibility for all victims, including Roma communities and other minorities
- Ensuring specialized and standardized services through staff trainingIntegrating the centres more closely into the public health system
- Continue to monitor and evaluate sexual violence intervention centre services, while ensuring survivors' involvement.
NORWEGIAN EXPERTS
The Norwegian experts are responsible for the report’s content:
- Freja Ulvestad Kärki is a psychologist by training with several specialties in clinical psychology, and an organisational psychologist with a master’s in international crisis management. Her previous working experience includes research, clinical work, management and policy making from World Health Organization, EU and the Norwegian Directorate of Health.
- Wanja J. Sæther is a social worker and the manager of the largest crisis centre in the northern part of Norway – the Salten region. She has been working with victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse for more than 30 years.
- Rachel Eapen Paul is an independent consultant with postgraduate degrees in criminology and philosophy. She has worked in the area of gender equality and violence against women and girls
and domestic violence for 40 years. She has served as a member of the GREVIO from 2018–2022. - Gerd Jorunn Møller Delaveris is a medical doctor with a PhD, a master’s degree in health management, and a second master’s degree in forensic medicine from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Her work experience is primarily in forensic pathology, clinical forensic medicine, and part-time work as a clinician at the Oslo Sexual Assault Center since 2008. Since 2021, Gerd has been a member of the SARC group at the National Centre for Emergency Primary Health Care, Norce, Norway.
- Maria Egeland Thorsnes is a policy director at the Norwegian Ministry of Digitalisation and Public Governance. She has led the secretariats of the Norwegian public commissions on women’s health (2023) and rape (2024). Thorsnes has previously coordinated the EEA and Norway Grants programmes on gender equality and gender-based violence at the Financial Mechanism Office.
In addition, the following people have provided input:
- Jenna Shearer-Demir, Programme Advisor, Gender Equality Division, the Council of Europe.
- Virginia Gil, Director, The Aspacia Foundation (Delphi method).
- Ole Henrik Augestad, Medical doctor, Sexual assault reception centre, Sandefjord, Norway, and Chair of the Public Committee on Rape.
- Melanie Hyde, Technical Officer, Gender Equality, Health Equity and Human rights, World Health Organization.