Report on the Case of Sexual Violence and the Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Incident Overview

In July 2019, an incident of sexual violence occurred in Colchester involving a victim referred to as Kate and the perpetrator, Miridon Bera, an Albanian national. After a night out with a friend, Kate was taken to a stranger’s flat and raped. Bera was convicted in March 2023 and sentenced to eight and a half years in prison in the UK.

Judicial Process and Victim Impact

• Kate reported the crime promptly and underwent medical examinations and treatments to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy.
• The trial was delayed for over three years, causing significant psychological distress to Kate, including depression, PTSD symptoms, and suicidal ideation.
• Kate received therapy and support services throughout the judicial process.
• The conviction in February 2023 provided Kate with a sense of closure and justice.

Prison Transfer and Deportation Issues

1. Miridon Bera may be transferred to an Albanian prison after serving just over two years of his sentence in the UK, under a Prison Transfer Agreement (PTA) between the UK and Albania.
2. Kate was initially informed that Bera would be deported after completing his full sentence in the UK but later learned of the possibility of earlier transfer.
3. The Home Office states that foreign national offenders who commit serious sexual crimes face deportation at the earliest opportunity.
4. Kate opposes the early transfer, citing concerns about the seriousness with which sexual violence is treated in other countries and the retraumatization caused by the uncertainty.

Government Response and Support Measures

• The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is addressing court delays by funding extra Crown Court sessions, increasing magistrates’ powers, commissioning independent reviews, and recruiting more staff.
• The Home Office emphasizes its commitment to halving violence against women and girls within a decade and recognizes the bravery of victims pursuing justice.
• Between July 2024 and May 2025, 4,436 foreign national offenders were returned to their countries, marking a 14% increase from the previous year.
• PTAs exist with 110 countries to facilitate prisoner transfers, primarily for longer sentences, while an early removal scheme applies to shorter fixed terms.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This case highlights critical intersections with several SDGs, emphasizing the need for integrated approaches to justice, health, and gender equality:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Provision of medical care and psychological support to victims of sexual violence is essential for recovery and well-being.
• Addressing mental health challenges such as PTSD, depression, and suicidal tendencies aligns with SDG 3 targets.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Combating sexual violence and supporting survivors directly contribute to achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
• Government efforts to halve violence against women and girls reflect commitments under SDG 5.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• Ensuring timely and fair judicial processes strengthens institutions and promotes access to justice for all.
• Managing foreign national offenders and their reintegration or deportation must balance justice, victim rights, and institutional integrity.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Addressing disparities in how sexual violence is treated across countries supports reducing inequalities in justice and human rights protections.

Conclusion and Recommendations

1. Enhance victim support services to provide comprehensive medical, psychological, and legal assistance, in line with SDG 3 and SDG 5.
2. Accelerate judicial processes to reduce trauma and uphold the right to timely justice, supporting SDG 16.
3. Review and ensure transparency in Prison Transfer Agreements to protect victim rights and maintain sentence integrity.
4. Promote international cooperation to harmonize standards for handling sexual violence cases, contributing to SDG 10.
5. Engage victims and their representatives in decision-making related to offender transfers and deportations to uphold dignity and justice.

Support Resources

If you are affected by issues related to sexual abuse and violence, support is available through the BBC Action Line.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article highlights issues of sexual violence against women, the justice process for victims, and the protection of women and girls from violence.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The article discusses the criminal justice system, court delays, sentencing, and the deportation of offenders, emphasizing access to justice and effective institutions.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article touches on the physical and mental health impacts on the victim, including treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and mental health support.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life (implied through victim advocacy and political support).
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels (implied through the discussion of justice system reforms and victim support).
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels (implied through MP involvement and victim’s voice).
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being (implied through victim’s mental health challenges and support services).
   • Target 3.3: End epidemics of communicable diseases (implied through treatment for sexually transmitted infections).

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 5 Indicators
   • Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of women and girls subjected to sexual violence by persons other than an intimate partner in the previous 12 months.
   • Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments (implied through political advocacy).
2. SDG 16 Indicators
   • Indicator 16.3.2: Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population (related to court delays and justice system efficiency).
   • Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services (implied through victim dissatisfaction with communication and justice process).
   • Indicator 16.7.2: Proportion of population who believe decision-making is inclusive and responsive (implied through victim’s interaction with MP and government).
3. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate (implied through victim’s suicidal ideation and mental health struggles).
   • Indicator 3.3.1: Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population, by sex, age and key populations (implied through treatment for sexually transmitted infections).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: bbc.com