Two weeks ago, a young girl spoke out on an television entertainment show about having been sexually abused as a minor several years ago by a teacher and a guard at the Shkodra orphanage.
There has been more than one victim who has come forward over the last few years making similar accusations about the Shkodra orphanage.
In 2015, the caretaker of the orphanage Edvana Sulaj was caught on film abusing children. She was filmed kicking one of the children several times and then sitting on him. She told judges she regretted what she had done.
Then in 2016, five employees of the institution were arrested on charges of abuse of duty and ill-treatment of minors. They included Albana Llazani, Rafaela Camaj, Shpresa Nishani, Najada Rramolli, and Violeta Marku. The Ombudsman revealed the scandal and sent their report to the local prosecutor.
The report included statements from children detailing sexual and physical abuse. Children told the Ombudsman they had been assaulted with wooden sticks and chair legs, slapped, kicked and sexually harassed.
Roma children were especially abused and discriminated against.
The child of the one of the institution’s employees was alleged to have sexually abused girls from the orphanage.
They also said that staff at the orphanage knew about the abuse but told them to be quiet.
The Ombudsman’s report noted “hesitation and fear” in the children and that members of staff had pressured those responsible for inspecting the facility.
