Cocieri placement center faces sexual abuse and neglect allegations

Serious allegations of sexual abuse, degrading isolation, and food irregularities have emerged at the Placement Center for the Elderly and People with Disabilities in Cocieri, Dubăsari district. These issues were documented by the Institute for Human Rights in Moldova (IDOM) following an unannounced inspection of the facility, which houses approximately 360 residents, including 260 individuals with psychoneurological disabilities.

Reports indicate that staff members allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct, with one beneficiary claiming an employee attempted to sexually assault her and subsequently threatened her life after she refused. Additionally, the inspection revealed poor living conditions, including crumbling infrastructure, inadequate food distribution, and instances where residents were locked in rooms without mattresses or toilet facilities as punishment.

The Moldovan police have initiated a criminal investigation into the matter following the findings presented by IDOM.