Sexual Harassment in Kosovo By Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa, Adelina Berisha, Nicole Farnsworth, and Iliriana Banjska Kosovo Women’s Network Pristhina, Kosovo 2016 © Kosovo Women’s Network, 2016 Authors: Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa, Adelina Berisha, Nicole Farnsworth, and Iliriana Banjska ISBN 978-9951-8923-1-5 Printed by Night Design in Prishtina, Kosovo, using ecofriendly printing. This research was funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with the funds of Austrian Development Cooperation. The views presented do not necessarily correspond with the views of the Austrian Development Agency. www.womensnetwork.org Contents Acronyms............................................................................................................................................ 2 Acknowledgements............................................................................................................................ 3 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................ 4 The Legal Framework .................................................................................................................... 4 Perceptions..................................................................................................................................... 4 Extent.............................................................................................................................................. 4 Institutional Response.................................................................................................................... 4 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................. 5 Research Methods ......................................................................................................................... 5 About this Report .......................................................................................................................... 6 THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN KOSOVO.................................... 7 Sexual Harassment in Kosovo’s Applicable Law .......................................................................... 7 Criminal Provisions Related to Harassment ............................................................................... 10 Procedures for Making Harassment Claims................................................................................ 13 Conclusions .................................................................................................................................. 14 PERCEPTIONS ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT....................................................................... 17 Perceptions Regarding Sexual Harassment at Work ................................................................. 19 Perceptions on Who Tends to Carry Out Sexual Harassment................................................. 20 Why Do People Think Sexual Harassment Occurs?.................................................................. 20 Conclusions .................................................................................................................................. 22 PERVASIVENESS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT............................................................................. 23 Lifetime Prevalence ...................................................................................................................... 23 Prevalence in 2014....................................................................................................................... 25 Who Perpetrated Sexual Harassment against Respondents?.................................................... 29 Sexual Harassment at Work........................................................................................................ 30 Sexual Harassment at School ...................................................................................................... 30 Consequences of Sexual Harassment......................................................................................... 31 Citizens’ Responses to Sexual Harassment ................................................................................ 31 Conclusions .................................................................................................................................. 33 INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSES TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT..................................................... 34 Civil Servants at the Municipal Level ........................................................................................... 37 Schools and Universities .............................................................................................................. 38 Police ............................................................................................................................................ 39 Prosecutors .................................................................................................................................. 41 Judges............................................................................................................................................ 43 Victim Advocates ......................................................................................................................... 44 Ombudsperson Institution........................................................................................................... 45 Conclusions .................................................................................................................................. 46 RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................................. 47 Annex 1. Research Methodology .................................................................................................... 49 Annex 2. The Survey........................................................................................................................ 52 Annex 3. Interview Respondents .................................................................................................... 56 Bibliography ...................................................................................................................................... 60 1 Acronyms ADA Austrian Development Agency AGE Agency for Gender Equality ASK Agency for Statistics in Kosovo CC Criminal Code CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women CoC Code of Conduct CSO Civil Society Organization CSW Centre for Social Work EC European Commission EU European Union GRK Government of the Republic of Kosovo KGSC Kosovar Gender Studies Centre KIPA Kosovar Institute for Public Administration KWN Kosovo Women’s Network LGBTQ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer OSCE Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe RAINN Rape Abuse Incest National Network REC Regional Employment Centre UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNMIK United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo US United States VA Victim Advocates VAAD Victim Advocates and Assistance Division VTC Vocational Training Centre 2 Acknowledgements The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) would like to express its gratitude to everyone involved in this research, including citizens and institutions who offered their time, energy, and thoughts. KWN thanks its hard-working and dedicated research team: Nicole Farnsworth (Lead Researcher, MSc), Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa (Legal Expert), and Assistant Researchers: Adelina Berisha, Iliriana Banjska, Nertila Qarri-Gërguri, Gresa Rrahmani, and Antonia Hoidal. Erëblina Elezaj offered her invaluable experience and expertise at no cost, assisting with the statistical analysis. Special thanks to Arbnora Kolgjeraj and Egzona Azemi for assisting with conducting interviews with institutions. Kaltrina Kelmendi (Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Prishtina) kindly provided support and psychological supervision for the research team and survey respondents, as needed. We thank the following interns who donated several days or months of their time, transcribing interviews: Alma Ademi, Dije Rizvanolli, Erleta Morina, Renea Hasani, Hana Rizvanolli, Lejla Cana, Nita Bislimi, Marigonë Vrajolli, and Miranda Muharremi. We also thank the advisory group and peer reviewers: the Agency for Gender Equality in the Office of the Prime Minister (AGE); Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE); Natasha Banfield; Driton Zeqiri, Sociologist; Hana Marku, KWN member; Lina Andeer, Gender Advisor at the EULEX Mission in Kosovo; and Violeta Rexha, Gender Officer at the EULEX Mission in Kosovo. We are very grateful to the 46 surveyors who worked hard to complete all surveys on time and in a professional manner: Adni Kukesi, Agnesa Haxhiu, Aida Gashi, Arbnora Kolgjeraj, Ardian Batusha, Bardha Çelaj, Beshir Seferi, Dafina Halili, Dardan Ahmeti, Diana Shaka, Driton Gusia, Dua Dauti Kadriu, Edon Gërbani, Egzona Azemi, Erisa Xhemajli, Fanol Ahmetaj, Fjolla Vukshinaj, Flamur Kadriu, Florent Thaci, Gyltene Osmani, Ilir Miftari, Iliriana Banjska, Jetbardha Selmani, Jeton Dukagjini, Jeton Jashari, Jovan Rikallo, Katarina Besova, Leutrim Shahini, Leyza Mripa, Luan Bajraj, Lulzim Hasari, Marina Milosevic, Mergim Gerbeshi, Mrika Rizvanolli, Nevenka Rikallo, Ramadan Sokoli, Roland Sylejmani, Shenoll Rexhepi, Srdjan Milosevic, Suzana Emini, Uran Haxhiu, Valdrin Misini, Venera Cocaj, Vesna