In 61 percent of cases, a child is abused by its relative, in 25 percent by a
person it knows and only in 14 percent by an unknown perpetrator, Duskova said.
Although authorities often consider children who report sexual abuse liars, the
number of such cases is below 5 percent, she said.
She criticised the media for their reckless approach to the children who become
victims of sexual abuse or tyranny. The media publish their photographs and
indicate their place of residence in such a way that it is easy to guess whom
the case concerns, Duskova said.
The Justice Ministry is preparing an amendment to the Penal Code that would
protect the privacy of underage and juvenile victims of sexual attacks.
Juvenile perpetrators are protected by the current legislation, she said.
Labour and Social Affairs Minister Petr Necas (Civic Democrats, ODS) said at
his press conference and at the seminar that in the future, doctors, teachers
and if possible, also parents should participate, along with social workers, in
decision-making on placing children in institutional care.
At present, 7,500 children live in institutional care in the 10-million Czech
Republic, while 70 percent of them were sent to children's homes for social
reasons, Necas said.
The Czech Republic has been criticised over a very high number of children in
institutional care compared to other EU countries.
