If we see the solution to domestic violence only in a criminal-legal response, it means that we have entered a critical phase, warned Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković yesterday during a session of the Gender Equality Committee, which discussed the Report on the Implementation of the Instructions for State Prosecutors' Offices in Cases of Domestic or Family Violence.
Marković said that the report reflects the prosecutor's readiness to make its work completely transparent, emphasizing that the goal is to "provide the public with a realistic picture" of the proceedings in these cases.
He stated that the number of cases has doubled compared to 2024, but pointed out that this data in itself is not a key indicator.
"The instruction itself has imposed on prosecutors a much greater number of activities and a more serious approach in these cases, with a special focus on risk assessment and support for victims," said Marković.
According to him, in 84 percent of cases, interrogations are carried out within 48 hours, while in 98 percent of cases, the victim is questioned without the presence of the suspect.
Marković said that good results have been achieved when it comes to convictions, both in criminal and misdemeanor proceedings, but that there is room for improvement.
He stated that the Prosecutorial Council proposed to the Government that funds be provided from the budget reserve for the installation of two additional systems for audio-visual recording of hearings.
He said that it is also planned to equip special rooms for hearings in the Supreme, Higher and Special State Prosecutor's Offices, as well as to provide special rooms for victims, so that they can prepare for testimony and avoid contact with suspects.
Speaking about penal policy, Marković said that misdemeanors are the mildest forms of domestic violence, while threats qualify as a criminal offense. The State Prosecutor's Office assessed that it is not a good solution to have a fixed fine.
"The punishment must have a range, so that it can be individualized," said Marković.
Coordinator for the implementation of the instructions Ana Radovic She said that there was an increase in the number of cases filed and the volume of work, but that this did not affect the efficiency of the proceedings.
"The average time to resolve a case from the report to the filing of the indictment is 29,1 days," said Radović.
Chairwoman of the Gender Equality Committee Jelenka Andric She said that in most cases the victims are women and the perpetrators are men, warning of the continuity of serious cases of violence with fatal outcomes in previous years.
"This series continues," said Andrić.
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