Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan (STAN) has acknowledged and accepted an apology from Czech Police President Martin Vondrasek for his controversial remarks about fabricated rape allegations, as reported in the Pravo newspaper. Rakusan’s acceptance comes in light of Vondrasek’s public apology aligning with Rakusan’s own stance on the matter.

Rakusan confirmed his acceptance, stating, “I have read Vondrasek’s statement in today’s Pravo, and it fully corresponds to what I said earlier.” The minister also reaffirmed his previously scheduled meeting with Vondrasek, emphasizing its regularity within their interactions.

Vondrasek’s apology expressed regret if his comments had adversely affected victims of sexual violence. Earlier, he had clarified on the police website that his intention was not to downplay the gravity of sexual violence.

The controversy emerged when Vondrasek remarked on the Aktualne.cz news server that women’s reports of sexual violence are frequently fabricated. His comments were met with criticism from lawyers, victim support organizations, and Rakusan, who expressed disappointment, considering Vondrasek’s role in promoting police education.

Rakusan emphasized that victims of any form of violence should feel empowered to report incidents to the police without fear. Vondrasek, in response to the backlash, acknowledged that his words were not fortunate and suggested they were taken out of context.

Despite the controversy, Vondrasek indicated he has no intentions of resigning from his position. He highlighted the police’s efforts in training specialists to handle cases of sexual violence sensitively and disclosed his plan to meet with Government Human Rights Commissioner Klara Simackova Laurencikova by the end of August.

Members of Parliament, Tatana Mala (ANO) and Klara Kocmanova (Pirates), expressed shared sentiments, underscoring the importance of carefully weighing words in matters of rape and domestic violence. They stressed that the highest-ranking police officer’s statements could have a discouraging impact on victims reluctant to report such incidents.

Amnesty International data underscores the underreporting of rape in the Czech Republic, with an estimated 12,000 rapes annually but only about 5% reported to the police. The organization recorded 880 cases of rape last year. Amidst the controversy, the Nesehnuti social and ecological movement has launched an online petition urging Vondrasek’s replacement as police president, asserting the need for a leader who fosters support and protection for survivors of sexual violence. The incident highlights the importance of responsible and sensitive communication, especially in matters involving vulnerable communities and individuals.

Article by Prague Forum