Every Fifth Woman in Montenegro Has Suffered Domestic Violence: Report

Protest march in Podgorica marking International Women’s Day. Photo: BIRN/Samir Kajosevic. One in five women in Montenegro has experienced some form of intimate partner violence, and more than half of them victims have not sought help, according to an analysis published by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography. “One in five women surveyed (19.7 per cent) reported experiencing some form of violence from their partner or spouse, which, given methodological limitations and the tendency of non-reporting, suggests that the real percentage is significantly higher,” the ministry said in the report “About 58.6 per cent of victims who experienced violence did not seek help from anyone. Of those who sought help, only 35 per cent contacted the relevant institutions,” it added. Analysts say that victims often remain silent due to fear of retribution from their partner, economic dependence or concern about stigmatisation. The ministry’s report was based on a survey of attitudes and perceptions of violence against women and girls in the family and intimate relationships. The survey was conducted last August but the report released by the ministry this month. In other findings likely to cause alarm, 76.8 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement that “a man should be the head of the family”. Twenty-two per cent of respondents said they believe that sexual intercourse within marriage cannot be rape, while 44 per cent were willing to justify men who “lose control because of women’s behaviour”. The ministry’s analysis highlights the need for better protection for women from Montenegro’s Roma and Egyptian minorities, women with disabilities, and those living in rural areas. It also points to the need for specialised services for victims and mandatory training for professionals who come into contact with them. According to data from the Police Directorate, 968 criminal offenses related to domestic violence were committed in Montenegro last year, the report states.