Since the beginning of the year, and in just a month and a half, as many as 50 women have crossed the threshold of the Safe Women's House in Podgorica. Most of them stayed from one to four days, and in addition there were 80 phone calls on the basis of which the SŽK team solved the problems of victims of domestic violence.
This figure is higher than in the same periods of all previous years since the opening of the institution, which is still the only one in Montenegro that provides shelter, material, psychological, medical assistance and physical security to victims of domestic violence. After almost ten years since its opening, SŽK is in financial problems with fewer donors and no support from the government, but, they say, it never gets stronger with new projects and ideas.
"The need for the existence of the Safe Women's House is greater than ever", says executive director Ljiljana Raičević.
More and more foreign women who are harassed by Montenegrins come to the house, mostly Russian and Albanian women.
"They are more and more desirable brides in Montenegro, but looking for happiness here, they come across unpleasant surprises of the changed behavior of the chosen ones after signing in front of the registrar and on their soil. Russian women are more self-aware in such situations and quickly call the Safe Women's House to inquire about their rights. Albanian women are more patriarchal and obedient, and their families do not want them back after marriage. Women from Serbia and the surrounding area come to get away from abusers as far as possible, and the treatment is the same for everyone," says Raičević.
Statistics of the SŽK show, among other things, that 39 percent of the women who turned to them for help were from Podgorica and its surroundings. Compared to other Montenegrin cities, the most women are from Nikšić, 21 percent. From the north of Bijelo Polje, Rožaj, Beran, Pljevlja, Plav and from Gusinje, 17 percent have been women so far. 11 percent asked for help from Sutomore, Bar and Ulcinj, and 12 percent from Budva, Kotor, Tivat and Herceg Novi. Most of the 75 percent of women surveyed in the home are in the prime working and life force and are between 18 and 40 years old. People over 40 make up 15 percent of the victims, and old women from 65 to 80 make up ten percent. In 60 percent of cases, children are exposed to violence directly or indirectly. About 35 percent of the victims suffered threats with weapons, 42 percent were exposed to violence on a daily basis, and 55 percent stated that they were mistreated by family members of the perpetrators.
Nevertheless, Raičević says that women report abusers more often than before, and they cooperate better with the police, although there are also examples to the contrary. She states that the Safe Women's House has become an institution that abusers have begun to fear, and more and more of them, mostly husbands, are calling the SŽK hotline, which was unimaginable before.
"There is everything here. The stories are mostly scary. One who brutally beat a woman told us that he did it in a fit of rage, because his eyes went dark because he couldn't find a charger for his phone," reports Raičević.
For her, however, conversations with violent partners became an opportunity "for education and presenting the legal and other consequences of their behavior."
Evening phone calls from husbands and partners who are in prison due to domestic violence are also frequent. They usually complain that women do not visit them, that they have "forced themselves" and ask for a divorce.
"In the end, they promise not to cause any more problems, just not to be abandoned because that's what they can't stand," says Raičević.
The stories of thousands of abused women who took refuge in Podgorica are very similar and differ in details. The tactics of thugs are similar, and recently, says Raičević, the range of torture methods is worrying.
Mentally and physically tortured women come to the house, beaten and without means of livelihood. 75 percent of them are sick. When they enter, they are in great fear, and some have mental disorders. As many as 22 percent of women stated that they thought about suicide. The security within the walls of the Safe House does not relax many, even though they know that the house is constantly guarded and monitored. They are afraid of every forest. Fear holds many back and robs them of the strength to confront and report abusers.
Neighbors should not be silent
According to Ljiljana Raičević, as many as 82 percent of the surveyed women consider domestic violence a private problem. From the Safe House, they tell the neighbors of a family suffering from an abuser that domestic violence is not a private matter. Every call and report to SŽK for a bully remains anonymous. The police, they say, is reacting faster and faster.
Herceg Novi leads the way
Raičević believes that every city should have a space for the protection of victims of domestic violence. After Podgorica, there is an intention to open a shelter in Herceg Novi, from which, as they stated, it is difficult for the women to escape because the abusers often catch them to the ferry. The mayor of Herceg Novi, Dejan Mandić, expressed his support for the shelter, so now, according to Ljiljana Raičević, a suitable space is being sought. She states that, according to the application of the criminal law on family violence, Herceg Novi has been ahead of other cities in Montenegro in the past year.
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