PREVALENCE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: INSIGHTS FROM NATIONAL STUDY IN SERBIA
Keywords:
domestic violence, violence against women, police, prevalence, SerbiaAbstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the prevalence and characteristics of domestic violence on national level in Serbia.
Design/Methods/Approach
We conducted cross-sectional study on Serbian population using retrospectively data from January 2018 to December 2024. We included all events of domestic violence reported to the Ministry of internal affairs, Direction of police in Serbia during study investigation period. We examined prevalence of domestic violence, characteristics of the violence by its type, characteristics of victims (children and adults) and perpetrators, as well as lethal outcomes. All of data was examined by each year and altogether, using descriptive statistics in SPSS software. Study received approval by the Ethics Committee.
Findings
During study examination period, there were 199200 events of domestic violence reported to the police in Serbia. The highest prevalence belonged to psychological violence with 66.56% of all domestic violence events, followed by physical, economic and sexual violence. There were 228683 victims during examination period, out of which 29.82% males and 70.18% females. Out of all victims, 8.55% were children. There were two minor perpetrators among 208850 of them. Out of all perpetrators, 80.83% were men, 19.7% were women. During study period, there were 316 lethal outcomes, being 0.16% of all reported domestic violence events.
Originality/Value
Domestic violence is a global problem and public health issue, affecting mainly women. Its prevalence varies from region to region. This is the first study of this type examining data on national level, after the implementation of the Law on combatting domestic violence. The results of this study demonstrate the need for continuous monitoring, better preventive measures and targeted policies that will contribute to reducing both the frequency and the most serious (qualified) forms of domestic violence in Serbia.
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