Elma Prusac-Godinjak, another victim of femicide, was buried in Sarajevo. The question remains the same – why do the system and society react only when it is too late? From institutions to social networks, responsibility is broader than is often acknowledged. While tragedies are turning into headlines, and social networks into a space for condemning the victim instead of the perpetrator, experts warn that the fight against femicide must not stop for a few days of attention. Where is the line between responsibility, information and additional victimization.
The special role of the media
Experts warn that the problem of femicide does not begin at the moment of the crime but much earlier – through tolerating violence, relativizing threats and the lack of a timely response from the system. The media have a special role in reporting on femicide and violence.
Femicide often shows that media reporting goes beyond the scope of public interest. And it is not in the public interest to write and talk in detail about what the victim went through, because this causes additional harm to the victim and her family.
“The media should report that a femicide has occurred, that a murder or any other criminal act has occurred, what the police, the prosecutor’s office did, what happened to the perpetrator. But some details are not of interest to the public,” says journalist Ljiljana Smiljanić.
Sympathy for the perpetrator
Social networks and portals testify that a large number of citizens often show sympathy for the perpetrator and blame the victim. The United Women Foundation says that the response of society is devastating.
“I do not mean only the response of institutions, but also individuals who publicly justify it in various ways and in some way. All those who understand the monstrous murder and who can sympathize with the perpetrator practically represent a risky person who could do something similar in similar situations,” says Gorica Ivić, director of the United Women Foundation.
There are numerous steps that need to be taken to suppress hate speech from the public and media spheres. Changing the social climate also depends on the individual.
“In order to change norms and the value system in general, it must start with the individual. In this case, it would be very desirable for women, but also associations, women who are “seen” to condemn and talk about it more, and not just for a few days when it becomes a current topic,” emphasizes sociologist Jadranka Berić.
Hate speech without consequences
Virtual space is not legally regulated, which is why it is fertile ground for hate speech without consequences.
“We can see that it has gotten out of control, if any control exists. It is difficult to regulate it, perhaps it would be best to exclude comments on such posts completely,” adds Smiljanić.
Femicide is defined as a criminal offense in the Federation and the Brčko District, and the question is until when the relativization of femicide or hate speech against women in virtual space will be unpunished, Federalna writes.
