Vranje – When it comes to the implementation of the new Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence, a critical moment upon the removal of the abuser from the home is when he returns to it.
Vranje – When it comes to the implementation of the new Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence, a critical moment upon the removal of the abuser from the home is when he returns to it.
That is the moment when the competent institutions must carefully assess the safety of women and children, in order to better ensure their protection, "said Suzana Antic Ristic, a representative of the Human Rights Committee and SOS Hotline in Vranje.
She says that in 2016, 191 calls were made to the SOS Hotline in Vranje, of which 131 were made by women. This year, 97 calls were made in the period from January to June, of which 87 were made by women.
“All those who would like to be informed about the problem and learn about their rights should call us. That's why we exist, while we also offer free legal and psychosocial support. A call to the SOS Hotline in Vranje can be made anonymously, too "Ms. Antic Ristic said.
The new Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence came into force on June 1, 2017 and it includes two urgent measures: a measure of removing the person from the premises on which he committed violence and a measure of prohibiting communication with and approach to the victim of violence.
"The anger of the one who commits violence increases upon his removal from home, due to which such a person feels more humiliated and publicly condemned, since everyone can see that he is a violent person. Then we can hear the statements such as "she won’t throw me out of the house", "I'll kill her when I get back" etc, " Ms. Antic Ristic said.
“Identifying critical moments in the victim-abuser relationship and the general recognition of domestic violence is the first step towards preventing the fatal end," Ms. Antic Ristic said and added that individuals in institutions must continue to pay attention to such critical moments, which they were required to do by the new Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence.
“It is important to be informed about whether you are exposed to family – partner violence, who can help you and how you can protect yourself in a timely fashion. The SOS Hotline numbers are 017/410-822 and 066/410-82, while E-mail address is sosvr@hrcvr.org“, Ms. Antic Ristic said.
Source: Vranjske and Coordination Body
