Zagreb - The Croatian Parliament on Wednesday marked, for the fourth time, Denim Day – an international day against victim-blaming in cases of sexual violence – when MPs wear jeans. At a roundtable, titled “Attack after the attack: How to support victims of sexual violence”, participants also called on victims to report rape.
Deputy Parliament Speaker Sabina Glasovac (SDP), who moderated the discussion, said Croatia recorded the highest number of reported rape cases in the past decade in 2025, while an estimated 15 to 20 cases go unreported for each reported case.
She added that it takes an average of 41 months from reporting to a final verdict, and that 80% of sentences are the minimum prescribed by law, with many being suspended sentences. This, she said, highlights how difficult the path to justice remains for victims.
Maja Mamula from the Women’s Room NGO said sexual violence is widespread but still heavily underestimated as a social problem.
She stressed that victims rarely report abuse due to stigmatisation and victim-blaming, and that Croatia’s support system is fragmented and underdeveloped. She called for free, accessible and timely specialised legal and psychological support for the victims.
Marina Živković of the Story magazine said the support of both the Women’s Room and Parliament is important, and that the discussion highlighted the need for stronger public policies and institutional frameworks to support victims.
Marija Lugarić (SDP) stressed that victims are never to blame for any form of violence, including sexual violence.
Vesna Bedeković (HDZ) said wearing denim aims to raise awareness about the secondary victimisation of sexual violence survivors, noting that Croatia has made legislative and policy progress in recent years but that challenges remain.
Rada Borić (We Can!) cited data showing 310 rape reports over the past decade, noting that only a fraction of cases are reported.
She added that 60% of assaults are committed by people known to the victim, and 40% by partners or ex-partners, meaning a woman’s own home is often the most unsafe place.
She added that it is completely unacceptable that in a similar debate in the European Parliament, MEP Tomislav Sokol (HDZ/EPP) said that instead of focusing on left-wing ideologies, people should be asking what migrants do.
“Such a stance promotes a dangerous ideology... and is directed against potential future fellow citizens, which is unacceptable,“ she said.
Marijana Puljak (Centre) noted that Denim Day is an international day that recalls a shameful Italian court ruling that overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing tight jeans.