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Writer's pictureThrive
Jun 21, 20215 min read

Montenegro

Population Size:

622,137[1]

Number of people who have experienced domestic abuse per annum:

Proportion of ever-partnered women aged 18–74 years experiencing intimate partner physical and/or sexual violence in the last 12 months: 4.8%. [2]

Regarding the crimes of domestic violence, in 2018, the courts had a total of 232 cases. Out of that number, 147 cases were resolved in a timely manner, 136 cases – with conviction, 6 by acquittal, 2 cases were resolved by a judgment dismissing the charge, while in 2 cases a decision on dismissal was made. [3]

No research on male victims or other gender identities.

Cost to the country's economy:

17.9 million EUR cost to the economy due to the consequences of partner violence, which reflects negatively on the productivity of employed women. Therefore, the annual loss is about 0.5% of the GDP. The cost for the next ten years is estimated to be 241 million EUR. [4]

Estimated increase due to COVID-19:

In Montenegro, Maja Raicevic, head of the Centre for Women’s Rights, said on April 5 that in March calls to her NGO reporting domestic violence were up 20 per cent on the previous month. [5]


Current law and policy:

In the 2019 Report of Montenegro on the Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda), Montenegro has pledged to achieve its goal for gender equality through the suppression of all forms of gender-based violence, violence against women and domestic violence, and the improvement of the position and protection of the rights of victims of all forms of gender-based violence.


The Government of Montenegro has introduced The Strategy for Protection from Domestic Violence 2016-2020, as to conduct continuous research to collect statistical, administrative and judicial data on all forms of violence. The Strategy for Protection from Domestic Violence 2016 - 2020 is designed to conduct continuous research in order to collect statistical, administrative and judicial data on all forms of violence, classified in relation to the type of violence, judicial proceedings (criminal or misdemeanour), data on whether it is repeated violence (previously conducted procedures and imposed measures), sex, age and relationship between victim and offender, geographical location.[6]


According to the 2018 Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review – Montenegro (Addendum), the Montenegro government pledges to undertake activities for the purpose of effective implementation of laws, strategies and action plans to fight against domestic violence, violence against women and children. Further, Montenegro will conduct national plans to: (i) improve support services for victims of violence (according to the Istanbul Convention); (ii) continuously educate staff at the relevant institutions; (iii) create an awareness campaign on domestic violence; (iv) ensuring the functioning domestic violence victims’ database is defined; and (v) improving judicial/legal/law enforcement responses & resources to domestic violence cases


This includes developing the legislative framework and technical conditions for effective implementation of safeguard measures and more effective sanctioning of violent persons improved. Effect indicators are:the legal framework for protection against gender-based violence is in line with international documents and positive practice; and capacities of competent services to adequately respond to violence and provide adequate protection for victims of violence strengthened.


In addition, Montenegro commits to an effective system for monitoring implementation of the measures from the Strategy for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings 2012-2018 has been established. Effect indicators: there is at least one report per year on the implementation of measures from the Strategy for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings 2012-2018, with recommendations for improving situation.

To raise public awareness on the phenomenon, problems and ways of combating gender-based violence. Effect indicators include: the number of detected acts of gender-based violence and domestic violence increased and traditional harmful practices that support violent behaviour reduced.

Social and other support and protection system for all victims of domestic violence enhanced. Effective indicators include number, types and availability of support services for victims of domestic violence increased for 25%.

The quality of the provided services and the degree of satisfaction of the beneficiaries. There must be sustainability of social and other services of civil society institutions and organizations in the field of protection against family violence improved.


Awareness among citizens, especially civil servants responsible for implementing the law on all forms of discrimination and gender-based violence and their education developed. Effect indicators: level of awareness regarding the legislative and institutional framework for the protection against discrimination increased and level of information and expertise of civil servants to provide effective protection and support to victims of gender-based violence enhanced. [7]


The national plans for improving general support services and for improving specialised support services for the victims of violence will be drafted in accordance with Istanbul Convention. Crisis centres and shelters for victims of domestic violence will be opened. The Protocol on Actions, Prevention and Protection against Domestic Violence is currently being amended. Staff at the institutions are continuously educated, while awareness raising campaign are being conducted. The functioning of domestic violence victims’ database will be defined.

Operating Team for combating domestic violence and violence against women was established and it will develop mechanisms for timely and proper reaction in cases of violence. Misdemeanour cases are handled urgently in order to protect victims of domestic violence. Sufficient resources have been provided to the basic courts to enable efficient provision of legal aid. All the courts have been given guidelines for future development of the Services for Assistance to Victims and Witnesses.[8]

In relation to COVID-19, on 30 April 2020, a Joint Statement on Domestic and Sexual Violence Risks under Covid-19 in the OSCE region was delivered by Ambassador Neil Bush, on behalf of Montenegro. The joint statement affirms Montenegro’s commitment to address the issue of Domestic Violence under Covid-19, to mitigate the risks of domestic violence, and ensure the victims have access to the support services they need.[9]


Frontline Services:

 

Sources


[1] The World Bank, (1).

[2] UN Women, “Global Database on Violence Against Women – Montenegro”, (evaw-global-database.unwomen.org)

[3] Montenegro Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, “Report of Montenegro on the Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 AGENDA)”, (May 2019)

[4] IPSOS, “Violence in Family and Violence against Women”, (2017)

[5] COVID-19 and Domestic Abuse: When Home is not the Safest Place” (Balkan Insight, 21 April 2020)

[6], [7] Montenegro Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, “Report of Montenegro on the Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda)”

[8] UN Human Rights Council (38th session), “Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review* Montenegro -Addendum (A/HRC/38/13/Add.1)”

[9] “Joint Statement on domestic and sexual violence risks under Covid-19 in the OSCE region”, (30 April 2020)




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