In 35 months, a total of 141,529 cases of domestic violence have been reviewed

On the occasion of the Victims of Domestic Violence Memorial Day commemorated on 18 May, the Ministry of Justice would like to reiterate that only systemic and coordinated efforts by all competent institutions, together with the entire society may reduce the number of domestic violence cases.

In the 35 months since the enforcement of the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, a total of 141,529 cases of domestic violence have been reviewed. Between 1 June 2017 (the date of the application of the Act) and April 2020, the competent prosecutor’s offices filed 50,990 motions for urgent measures, 50,127 of which the courts granted. In that same period, nearly 8,000 coordination and cooperation group meetings were held, and 42,246 individual plans of victims’ protection were prepared.

In addition to passing the Act, Serbia introduced four new criminal offences on 1 June 2017, in line with the Istanbul Convention and for the purpose of advancing the criminal-law protection of women. These offences are stalking, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, and forced marriage. So far, 207 charging documents have been issued for the criminal offence of stalking and 112 persons convicted for it, and 109 charging documents have been issued for the criminal offence of sexual harassment and 72 persons convicted of it.

However, the statistical data that women make up the majority of victims of domestic violence (92% cases) remains a cautious reminder. For that reason, it is necessary for the entire society to stand against domestic violence and violence against women.

Once more, the Ministry of Justice calls on the competent institutions to become even more intensively involved in the fight against domestic violence, a challenge faced by all countries, and to the victims of domestic violence to continue to place their trust in the institutions and to report violence.