The democratic development of a country is reflected in the efficiency and responsibility of institutions in protecting women from violence. The state and competent authorities must act faster, more coordinated and decisively, with clearer and more uniform case law.
This was announced at the Open Door Days of the Women's Rights Center, which kicked off the campaign to combat violence against women, writes PR Center.
The Director of the Women's Rights Center, Maja Raičević, said that "the democratic development of a country is measured by the speed and quality of protection of women from violence, and the system's reaction to violence against women is a "litmus test of the rule of law."
"If the state cannot protect those who are most vulnerable, then no other reform success has full value," Raičević is clear.
"This year alone, we have provided around 4.000 specialized services and supported 242 women, 129 of whom for the first time, more than in any previous year," she emphasized.
Raičević reminded that in most cases, victims point to the slowness of institutions and a lack of sensitivity, which is why the support of specialized services is indispensable.
Raičević recalled that through work in numerous working groups, the Women's Rights Center submitted a large number of recommendations that were included in state documents, including the "Action Plan for Chapter 23, the first judicial guidelines for a more consistent and gender-sensitive penal policy, and the new Victim Protection Strategy."
The Women's Rights Center, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation and other institutions, and with the support of the EBRD, has formed a working group to draft the first Protocol for Combating Sexual Violence in Schools. In cooperation with the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office, they are monitoring the implementation of the binding instructions for prosecutors, on which they have published the first report, according to the PR Center.
Through its participation in the Supervisory Board for the Reform Agenda, the Center monitors the implementation of measures against gender-based violence, and has also contributed to the development of the national strategy for gender equality and the local plan of the Capital City.
Raičević stated that, through its work in the Operational Team for Combating Violence against Women and the National Team for Identification of Victims of Human Trafficking, the Center continuously works to improve institutional practices and enhance victim protection. She particularly highlighted projects for the rehabilitation and integration of victims of violence and children, as well as training for the judiciary, police, social services and citizens.
With the support of the British government, the Center has provided access to justice through free legal aid, while support from the EU and other partners has enabled monitoring of court proceedings, training, and direct work with victims.
Raičević recalled the strong response to the first regional campaign against femicide, launched in cooperation with partners from the region and the McCann agency. The campaign, she emphasized, "tells a truth that is often swept under the rug - that many women begin to suffer violence from the day they get married, and that it lasts for years."
She concluded that the Center will continue to work in the field, alongside the community and institutions, through workshops, trainings, protests and direct support to women.
Supreme Court President Valentina Pavličić said that the state and institutions must act faster, more coordinated and more decisively in protecting women from violence, with clearer and more uniform case law in this area.
"The legal framework exists, but it is not effective enough to prevent the most difficult outcomes," Pavličić pointed out.
She added that "the role of the courts is crucial and that we must act without delay, with full understanding of the position of the victims, in order to prevent their secondary victimization."
"I initiated the development of Sentencing Guidelines in cases of sexual and gender-based violence because it is necessary for courts to apply the law more clearly, consistently and in a gender-sensitive manner," said Pavličić.
According to her, "the guidelines should ensure a uniform penal policy and timely response to prevent the recurrence of violence," Pavličić was clear, according to the PR Center.
Pavličić emphasized that the fight against gender-based violence requires coordinated action by the police, judiciary, social services, educational institutions and the non-governmental sector, because no institution, "not even the Supreme Court, can respond to all challenges alone."
Senior State Prosecutor Ana Radović said that "the protection of women who suffer violence is the absolute priority of the prosecution, emphasizing that every decision and every reaction of institutions directly affects the safety of victims and can prevent or lead to tragedy."
"The protection of women must be at the forefront. Every report of violence, every call, every hint of risk requires an immediate and decisive response. There is no waiting and no delay when a woman's life is at risk," said Radović.
She reminded that this is precisely why "the Supreme State Prosecutor issued an Instruction that clearly defines the obligations of prosecutors, standards of conduct, and mandatory, rapid coordination with the police and social work centers."
"This Instruction is a message to victims that they are not alone and a message to perpetrators that violence will not go unpunished," she said.
Radović emphasized that the greatest strength of the Instruction is its urgency and clear procedures: "every case of violence must be processed immediately, with a risk assessment and protective measures taken without delay. She emphasized that multi-sectoral cooperation and constant communication with victims are key prerequisites for the system to truly function and for women to feel safe."
"The prosecution must build trust with women, so that they know that they will be heard, protected, and not returned to danger."
She added that for the successful implementation of the Instruction, it is necessary to continuously strengthen the capacities of prosecutors, police and social services, so that each institution can react quickly, consistently and responsibly.
Radović said that the prosecution will continue to take all actions to ensure that the protection system functions without exception, emphasizing that "every life is protected only when every institution does its part of the job."
British Ambassador Dawn McCann said that combating gender-based violence is a long-term priority for the United Kingdom in Montenegro.
"For years, we have supported a strong network of civil society organizations that advocate for gender equality and highlight violations of women's rights. They are crucial in the fight against anti-gender narratives that slow down the progress of society," she said.
She added that the issue of combating gender-based violence is "an important part of the final benchmarks for Chapter 23 and a significant segment of the Reform Agenda", and that therefore continued support to the institutions of the system is necessary.
"The British Embassy has previously provided support to the prosecution and judges in order to improve the institutional response in cases of violence against women," she said.
"The Women's Rights Center plays a key role in advocating for systemic changes, but also in providing free specialized assistance to victims of violence, from legal counseling and representation, to psychological support and accompaniment through procedures," she said.
As she said, without this kind of legal and psychosocial support, many women would not be able to exercise their right to access justice.
Ana Jaredić, a psychologist at the Women's Rights Center, pointed out that what women who experience violence need most is trust, clear information and a sense of security, and emphasized that the system must act faster, more evenly and more sensitive to risk.
"Our service provides comprehensive support to women who have survived violence, from free legal aid and psychological support, to escorting them through institutions and emergency interventions. It is important that a woman feels that she is not alone and that she can go through the process without additional fear," said Jaredić.
She added that this year alone, 242 women contacted the Women's Rights Center, including 129 new beneficiaries, and that 3958 individual services were provided.
"Behind each of those numbers is one person, one life and one story, that's what gives meaning to our work," she emphasized.
Ana explained that women who approach the Center most often have two key concerns: whether they will be trusted and what awaits them next.
"Trust in the victim's testimony is the basis for assessing risk and for the timely imposition of protective measures," she is clear.
Another great need of women is clear and constant information about the procedure, because the processes, from the report to the court proceedings, often seem unpredictable and frightening to them.
That is why the Center pays special attention to explaining every step and maintaining continuous communication, which brings women a sense of control, security, and stability.
She pointed out that in their daily work, they also see where obstacles arise in practice, such as uneven standards, insufficiently clear procedures and lack of coordination.
"The Center actively transfers these insights to institutions through working groups, in order to contribute to improving the system, and for the benefit of women who will never directly contact the organization, but who are equally dependent on effective institutional protection."
The services of the Women's Rights Center are important, but they cannot, by themselves, replace the obligations of institutions.
"The key to success is for the police, prosecutors, social services, courts and the healthcare system to act proactively, in a timely manner and in accordance with their obligations"
In this context, she emphasized that the Open Door Days are an important space for dialogue, cooperation and joint action, so that every woman in Montenegro receives timely and adequate protection, regardless of where she lives.
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