"Justice for girls" is the slogan of a protest rally that has been announced for 10am on October 19 in Zagreb in a show of support for all victims of sexual violence who do not receive appropriate protection from the justice system.

The protest is prompted by the rape of a minor in the Zadar area and the decision by the investigating judge to release from pre-trial custody five young men suspected of repeated rape, sexual exploitation, blackmail and physical and mental harassment of a 15-year-old girl, which lasted for a year.

“By releasing the persons suspected of these serious crimes, the judiciary is endangering the victim’s safety, life and dignity. We invite you to speak out loud against the system that supports violence. Impunity is a crime,” the organisers said on social media.

The protest is organised by the Platform for Reproductive Rights, the #spasime (save me) initiative, Women’s Room – Centre for Sexual Rights and the Solidarna human rights and solidarity foundation.

Peaceful protests have also been announced for Saturday in the coastal cities of Zadar, Split, Rijeka and Pula and the eastern city of Osijek.