The project was initiated in response to the case of a gynaecologist at Osijek University Hospital Centre who received a non-final conviction for rape and lewd acts committed against a patient during a medical examination. Despite criminal proceedings for a serious offence against sexual freedom, the doctor continued practising for nearly three years, raising serious concerns about patient safety, institutional transparency, and the effectiveness of complaint and oversight mechanisms in the Croatian healthcare system.
The case has triggered strong public reaction and highlighted potential systemic failures in protecting patients, particularly women in vulnerable situations due to their health condition and the inherent power imbalance in doctor–patient relationships.
Through legal, research, and advocacy activities, the project aims to:
- strengthen institutional accountability,
- improve complaint and patient-protection mechanisms,
- support victims of discrimination and gender-based violence,
- increase transparency within healthcare institutions,
- establish legal precedents for collective protection of patients’ rights.
Project activities include an analysis of Croatia’s healthcare complaint system, strategic litigation before the High Administrative Court of the Republic of Croatia, preparation of a class-action lawsuit under the Anti-Discrimination Act, and public information and awareness-raising activities through workshops, legal guides, public events, counselling, and media engagement.
The project places a strong emphasis on an intersectional and gender-transformative approach aimed at challenging institutional silence and impunity while contributing to long-term improvements in patient safety, dignity, and rights within the healthcare system.
Beyond supporting victims, the project seeks to contribute to lasting systemic change and to promote safer, more transparent, and more accountable healthcare for all patients.
“This Project has been supported by Alliance for Gender Equality in Europe, a collaborative initiative of the Network of European Foundations (NEF).”
