There is strong political will to continue fighting violence against women

PM Andrej Plenkovic said on Wednesday, on  the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, that there was strong political will in Croatia to continue to fight violence against women, as evidenced by an increase in the number of criminal reports for domestic violence.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the national team in charge of prevention and the fight against violence against women and domestic violence, Plenkovic commented on this year's statistics, noting that there had been a 10% drop in the number of perpetrators of domestic violence and a 43.4% increase in the number of crimes related to domestic violence.

Shelters filled to 45% capacity

"The statistics reflect what we wanted to achieve when amending the relevant legislation. There are many more reports for crimes than for misdemeanors," Plenkovic said, commending police efforts to strengthen the protection of victims through legal action.

As for the occupancy of shelters for victims of domestic violence, he said that the maximum occupancy was 71% and that currently it was 45%, which means that 136 of 302 available places are occupied.

"This is too high a number for a society that is against violence," said the PM.

He noted that despite some international indicators one could not say that there had been an increase in violence against women and domestic violence in the current coronavirus epidemic.

Plenkovic noted that there was strong political will on the part of the government to continue the fight against violence against women, announcing the establishment of safe houses in all six counties that so far have not had such places.

Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Minister Josip Aladrovic said that based on talks with NGOs and relevant personnel several key moves had been prepared.

National call centre for victims

Aladrovic said that as of today a national call centre for victims of crimes and misdemeanors would be in operation, with the toll-free number 116006 and help available 24/7 both on working days and holidays.

The free phone line will provide psychological help and advice as well as mediation in acquiring the right to free legal aid and healthcare.

Aladrovic said that by introducing the line Croatia had become the fifth European country to introduce a free standard number for assistance to victims and witnesses.

Two contracts for safe houses in Koprivnica-Krizevci and Virovitica-Podravina counties, where there are currently provisional shelters, will be signed and awarded today, he said.

The government will also award three million kuna to 20 NGOs which actively work on the prevention of domestic violence, help in the empowerment of women and children and provide various services and forms of assistance.

A media campaign to raise awareness of the problem of domestic violence is to start in early 2021.

Legislative amendments have enabled stricter penalties

Aladrovic said that those were the first steps that built on last year's amendment of the Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Act and the Act on Protection from Domestic Violence.

The amendments have introduced harsher penalties and enabled faster and more efficient prosecution of perpetrators of violence against women and children and domestic violence, he said.

The minister said that next year emphasis would be put on improving system control, which he said was crucial for victims' trust, warning that domestic violence was not a private matter and calling on everyone suspecting domestic violence to report it.

Text: Hina

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