/ Vranje, 11/25/2016 / The First Annual Conference of Local Network of CSO and institutions of Vranje for the prevention, combating domestic violence and assistance to victims entitled „SOS VRANjE – zero tolerance for violence against women “ took place in Vranje, organized by the Human Rights Committee Vranje – SOS Hotline Vranje and the City of Vranje within the project of establishing and improving operation of local social services.
In this way, the Human Rights Committee Vranje – SOS Hotline Vranje and the city of Vranje marked the 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the start of the international campaign „16 Days of Activism“.
During the conference, SOS Hotline Vranje and the „Women against violence“ network organized a campaign of collecting signatures to petition to designate the May 18 as Day of Remembrance of the murdered women victims of violence.
Minister for Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Aleksandar Vulin and Vranje Mayor dr Slobodan Milenkovic took part in the conference.
The Conference was attended by representatives of competent institutions, agencies and NGOs: Srecko Pejkovic, a superintendent of the Pcinja District, Danijela Milosavljevic, a member of the City Council of Vranje for social policy and local administration, Stojadin Stankovic, President of the Basic Court of Vranje, Milica Petkovic, Prosecutor of the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office Vranje, Igor Zivkovic, Commander of Police Department Vranje, Dejana Bogdanovic, director of the Centre for the Development of Local Services of social protection Vranje – Safe House Vranje, Emilia Toncic, Deputy Public Prosecutor of the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office Vranje, Marija Janićijevic, a head of criminal department of the Basic Court of Vranje, Ivan Zlatanovic, deputy Commander of PD Vranje, Dr. Sladjan Stanisavljevic, emergency medical service Vranje, representatives of the Center for social work Vranje and representatives of SOS Hotline Vranje.
The meeting was opened by the coordinator of the Human Rights Committee Vranje, Suzana Antic Ristic who pointed out that domestic violence is a major problem in our society. She talked about the new legislation in the field of prevention of domestic and partner violence, the new Law on Protection from Domestic Violence which was adopted and will enter into force in June 2017 and the amendments to the Criminal Code. She stressed the importance of the work of SOS phone Vranje and the establishment and development of local social services in the area of domestic violence.
„Combating violence against women is a priority of our society. We will fight the laws, we will fight every day and uncompromising, and not only with laws and court rulings, but also by the moral condemnation of society, „said Minister Aleksandar Vulin.
Mayor of Vranje, Slobodan Milenkovic said that the city supported the work of SOS Hotline Vranje through project financing for the first time and will in future provide logistical and financial support to the local network and partnership with other institutions to work intensively on preventive action against violence against women.
Members of the Local Network presented a unique model of the Focus Task Force of the Local Network for the Prevention of family and domestic violence, formed in March this year. The working group is composed of seven permanent members – one representative of the SOS Hotline Vranje, Municipal Public Prosecutor’s Office, Basic Court in Vranje, Vranje Police Department, Health Center, Center for Social Work and Safe House Vranje.
Minister Aleksandar Vulin and the Mayor of Vranje Slobodan Milenkovic signed a petition to designate May 18 Day of Remembrance of the murdered women victims of violence.
