"We all have the responsibility to report violence. That way we can stop further abuse and potentially save somebody's life. As a society we have to stop pretending that violence in our midst does not concern us, just because we are not the victim," Aladrović said.
The national media campaign, launched under the slogan "#empathynow - For a violence-free society", is designed to raise public awareness of the fact that domestic violence and violence against women is harmful and unacceptable, that its prevention and reporting is important and to promote the toll-free number 116 006, which is part of the system for the prevention of violence and victim protection.
Aladrović said that 25 shelters for victims of violence operated in Croatia at present and that his ministry financed the work of 17 of them. In the period from 2016 to 2020 the ministry set aside HRK 32.7 million for those shelters, he said.
The toll-free number is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. It was launched on 25 November 2020 to provide psychological help and counseling and to help victims acquire the right to free legal aid and health care.
The media campaign is part of an EU-funded project and apart from the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, it also involves the Justice and Public Administration Ministry and the Association for Support to Victims and Witnesses of Violence.
Text: Hina