About 5% of Bulgarian Women Fall Prey of Sexual Abuse

In 80% of the cases, the perpetrator of sexual violence in Bulgaria has been someone the victim knew. File photo

One of every 24 women in Bulgaria has been a victim of sexual abuse, according to a poll of the Alfa Research Agency.

The results were presented Wednesday at a round table titled "Women- Victims of Sexual Crimes."

The forum was organized by the Association for Law Harmonization, the Union of Former Police Offices, the Bulgarian Legal Association and the Capital's Directorate of the Interior Ministry (SDVR).

Anywhere between 100 000 and 250 000 Bulgarian women have been subject to sexual violence, the CEO of "Alfa Research," Genoveva Petrova, says.

According to Petrova, psychological and verbal abuses are still very hard to detect for Bulgarian women.

According to the poll, 71% of the women became victims of sexual abuse at home; 54% at work, and almost the same - in a public space. In 80% of the cases, the perpetrator has been someone the victim knew.

When asked: "What would you do if you become a victim of sexual abuse or witness sexual abuse," 70% said they will call the police; 40% will call an emergency hotline and 30% would seek help from close-ones.

16 rapes have been registered in 2010 in Bulgaria's capital Sofia with 11 cases solved, according to SDVR data.

The police advise women to avoid abandoned buildings and deserted spaces between apartment buildings as sexual crimes happen the most often there. Those who portray insecurity and low self-esteem are more likely to be attacked.

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