DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: BASIC PROBLEMS, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTION AND POLICY MEASURES Bilateral research project between Republic of Cyprus and Republic of Slovenia Nicosia, Prof. Tanja Rener, Ph.D. Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana Ana Kralj, Ph.D. Science and Research Centre of Koper, University of Primorska

Domestic violence in Slovenia: Facts & Figures The phenomenon of domestic violence came into the focus of public debate relatively late – in the 1980s – mostly due to the efforts of women’s organisations and NGOs who pushed the agenda into the public sphere. The phenomenon of domestic violence came into the focus of public debate relatively late – in the 1980s – mostly due to the efforts of women’s organisations and NGOs who pushed the agenda into the public sphere. The first SOS phone line for women and children, victims of domesic violence, was established in The first SOS phone line for women and children, victims of domesic violence, was established in There are 12 “safehouses” and 7 “single mother’s refuges” with cca. 305 bed facilities. According to the Resolution on the National Programme of Social Care by the end of 2010 the number of bed facilities will increase to 350. There are 12 “safehouses” and 7 “single mother’s refuges” with cca. 305 bed facilities. According to the Resolution on the National Programme of Social Care by the end of 2010 the number of bed facilities will increase to 350. According to the data, collected by various NGOs in Slovenia, 1 woman out of 5 is/was a victim of domestic violence, 1 out of 7 was raped. According to the data, collected by various NGOs in Slovenia, 1 woman out of 5 is/was a victim of domestic violence, 1 out of 7 was raped.

In police statistical records domestic violence was enlisted among “objects of violent acts” only after 1999: Most of these acts were committed in victim’s home. In 88 % of cases the perpetrators were men (women were mostly engaged in violent acts against their children). Most of these acts were committed in victim’s home. In 88 % of cases the perpetrators were men (women were mostly engaged in violent acts against their children).

Target oriented research project “Domestic violence in Slovenia”, Target oriented research project “Domestic violence in Slovenia”, Project manager: Mateja Sedmak, Ph.D. University of Primorska, Science and Research Centre of Koper www. zrs-kp.si Public oppinion survey done in 2005 Public oppinion survey done in Number of respondents: Thematic blocs: - Domestic violence and the role of media - Domestic violence against children - Domestic violence against partners/spouses - Domestic violence against elderly people - Attitudes towards domestic violence - Prevention campaignes

Among those who were victims of domestic violence 73 % were victims as children (mostly men - 59,5 %) and 38,6 % of respondents were victims as grownups (mostly women – 71,4 %). 17,6 % of respondents were victims of domestic violence in childhood as well as in adulthood.

Basic findings: Victims of domestic violence were subjected to: Victims of domestic violence were subjected to: - psychological violence in 66,5 % of cases; - physical violence in 63 % of cases; - Economic violence in 7,7 % of cases; - Sexual violence in 3,7 % of cases. 22,4 % of respondents know at least 1 family where violence over an adult female is performed. 7,5 % know at least 1 family where the victim of domestic violence is an adult male. 13,6 % know at least 1 family where elderly people are victims of domestic violence. 22,4 % of respondents know at least 1 family where violence over an adult female is performed. 7,5 % know at least 1 family where the victim of domestic violence is an adult male. 13,6 % know at least 1 family where elderly people are victims of domestic violence.

33,1 % of respondents know at least 1 family where slapping a child is an usual form of punishment. 33,1 % of respondents know at least 1 family where slapping a child is an usual form of punishment. 7,6 % of respondents think that forcing a partner into a sexual intercourse is not an act of violence. 6,6 % of respondents doesn’t know about the fact that it represents a criminal offence under Slovenian criminal law. 7,6 % of respondents think that forcing a partner into a sexual intercourse is not an act of violence. 6,6 % of respondents doesn’t know about the fact that it represents a criminal offence under Slovenian criminal law. 18,4 % of respondents think that in order to keep the family togehter it is worth to bear a slap or two. 18,4 % of respondents think that in order to keep the family togehter it is worth to bear a slap or two.

Even though the victims of domestic violence are mostly women, they are significantly less informed about the legislation concerning domestic violence. They are also less informed about where to turn to for help. Even though the victims of domestic violence are mostly women, they are significantly less informed about the legislation concerning domestic violence. They are also less informed about where to turn to for help. Women, victims of domestic violence, seek help and support predominantly in private sphere and rarely turn to help to various forms of institutional help. Women, victims of domestic violence, seek help and support predominantly in private sphere and rarely turn to help to various forms of institutional help. Those who claim that domestic violence is a private problem express significantly higher level of tolerance towards violent acts, they tend to place the blame on victims of domestic violence and to justify and minimalise violent acts. At the same time they are more supportive of traditional division of gender roles. Those who claim that domestic violence is a private problem express significantly higher level of tolerance towards violent acts, they tend to place the blame on victims of domestic violence and to justify and minimalise violent acts. At the same time they are more supportive of traditional division of gender roles.

Prevention of domestic violence: respondents view the activities of NGOs to be far more efficient compared to state policy measures and programmes. Prevention of domestic violence: respondents view the activities of NGOs to be far more efficient compared to state policy measures and programmes. 48,5 % of respondents fully agree with the statement that domestic violence remains hidden behind the household walls; more than half (54,8 %) share the oppinion that there is too little information for victims about where and whom to turn to for help. 48,5 % of respondents fully agree with the statement that domestic violence remains hidden behind the household walls; more than half (54,8 %) share the oppinion that there is too little information for victims about where and whom to turn to for help.

Dissemination of results: Public presentation of research findings: Public presentation of research findings: Annual meeting of Slovenian Sociological Association, Izola, October Annual meeting of Slovenian Sociological Association, Izola, October Family Lawyers Meeting, Ljubljana, October Family Lawyers Meeting, Ljubljana, October “Dangerous Privacy – Domestic Violence in Slovenia”, article published in scientific review Družboslovne razprave, 53, Ljubljana, “Dangerous Privacy – Domestic Violence in Slovenia”, article published in scientific review Družboslovne razprave, 53, Ljubljana, Publication of the book “Families and family Life in Slovenia”, Annales, Koper, Publication of the book “Families and family Life in Slovenia”, Annales, Koper, Vita magazine – “Domestic violence”, October/November 2007 (distributed free of charge in schools, hospitals, GP dispensaries) Vita magazine – “Domestic violence”, October/November 2007 (distributed free of charge in schools, hospitals, GP dispensaries)