Since the beginning of the year, 745 abused women have called the SOS hotline for victims of domestic violence in Republika Srpska. The “United Women” (Udružene žene) Foundation warns that violence is escalating.
Meanwhile, the adoption of a new Law on Protection against Domestic Violence is still pending.
Physical violence, followed by psychological abuse—these are the forms of violence most frequently reported via the SOS hotline in Republika Srpska. According to the “United Women” Foundation, 745 abused women have called the number 1264 since the start of the year. They emphasize the need to improve existing legal provisions.
Republika Srpska has a Law on Protection against Domestic Violence – a robust legal framework that protects victims and clearly defines domestic violence as a criminal offense.
Back in 2000, Republika Srpska became the first in the region to prohibit violence within the family and domestic unit through its Criminal Code, subsequently classifying it as a criminal offense. This sends a clear message to perpetrators: Republika Srpska maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward violence. GORICA IVIĆ, “United Women” Foundation
“The difference was that the new law was titled the ‘Law on Protection against Domestic Violence and Violence against Women,’ because domestic violence is not the only form of violence against women. It encompasses other forms as well—ranging from sexual to digital violence, stalking, endangering personal safety, and various types of intimate partner violence. The Government of Republika Srpska, in coordination with the relevant ministry, should restart the procedure for drafting a new law.”
The Government of Republika Srpska halted the legislative process and withdrew the Draft Law on Protection against Domestic Violence and Violence against Women – a piece of legislation that would have incorporated the concept of femicide into the legal framework.
It is currently unknown when the draft will return to the parliamentary procedure.
Sanja Vojvodić, a lawyer specializing in domestic violence cases, explains that the existing legal framework in Republika Srpska is sound. Women are protected – but only on paper.
She identifies the primary issue as the inadequate response from the institutions responsible for the victim protection system. SANJA VOJVODIĆ, Attorney
“We look at the Center for Social Work, we look at the Prosecutor’s Office – even after an indictment has been filed and confirmed against the perpetrator of a criminal offense, there is a wait of years for a verdict, a wait of years for the actual trial to even begin. I believe this creates a sense of insecurity, primarily for the victims; conversely, it emboldens the perpetrators of such crimes – to put it colloquially, it makes them feel they can act with impunity, thinking, ‘Well, I won’t be punished for this.'”
Should the new legislative proposal return to the parliamentary procedure, it will almost certainly have to wait until the new government is constituted. The draft law was previously withdrawn due to opposition from right-wing and conservative organizations.
The number of calls to the SOS hotline confirms that violence against women remains a serious social problem. While awaiting the new legislation, it is the responsibility of institutions to apply existing regulations consistently and without delay, as a timely response can be crucial for victims of violence, BHRT writes.
