Judgment concerning the Russian Federation
In the case of B v. Russia the Court held that there had been a violation of the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment.
The case concerned the participation of the applicant, who revealed in 2019 that she had been subjected to sexual abuse between the ages of 7-10, in the ensuing investigation and trial in the criminal proceedings against her alleged abusers. She complained that her repeated interviews and direct contact with her alleged abusers during the proceedings had caused her severe stress and mental hardship, leading to serious psychological disorders, and resulting in her re-traumatisation.
The Court found that the Russian authorities had displayed utter disregard for her suffering and had failed to protect her personal integrity in the course of the criminal proceedings, which had led to her secondary victimisation.