In 2013, 43 women killed in Serbia. By November 21, 2014, police received more than 20,000 reports while social work centers registered more than 9,000 victims of domestic violence.
Studies have shown that one in five women harassed by a family member, a current or former partner.
Even 80 percent of rape victims in Serbia give up prosecuting rapists – say the Autonomous Women’s Center (AWC).
A year has passed since ratification of the Convention of the Council of Europe against violence against women and domestic violence in Serbia. Convention obliges Serbia to introduce new criminal offenses, such as harassing, alter the legal definition of rape and domestic violence, and provide aggravating circumstances for acts of violence.
It requires the introduction of urgent protection measures imposed within maximum 24 hours, evaluation of security risks, the prohibition of mandatory alternative dispute resolution in order to prevent further violence and ensure the safety and protection of victims.