The Challenges Facing Domestic Violence Victims in Kosovo

• Author: Flutura Tahiraj
• Position: Mr. Sc Department of Criminal Law, Faculty of Law, University of Prishtina, Kosovo
• Pages: 55-66

JURIDICA

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The Challenges Facing Domestic Violence

Victims in Kosovo

Flutura TAHIRAJ1

Abstract: The number of domestic violence cases that are reported officially in Kosovo does n ot

represent the real situation. The cases that are reported do not get the ex pected support by the relevant

institutions. The concerning situation on the lack of protection for the domestic violence victims

keeps being reported by Non-governmental organizations that work on protection of women’s rights.

The paper is based on the literature review, statistical data, surveys, and interviews. The results show

women hesitate to report the violence against them. The relevant institutions, mainly police and the

courts do not implement the dispositions of the applicable laws accordingly t o ensure protection of

the domestic violence victims. In few cases, the pro tection order petitions were neglected, and this

negligence in one of the cases resulted having the perpetrator kill the victim. It shows that there

should be a stricter monitoring of implementation of th e applicable laws and not permit the cultural

approach toward domestic violence be part of the institu tions and have impact in their decisions. That

would directly enable Kosovo society change the perception and raise the awareness that the

perpetrators of the domestic violence shall get the relevant punishment.

Keywords: domestic violence; women; victim, the perpetrator; protection order petition

1. Introduction

Family represents the basis of every society and it is a key feature of a democratic

society. The presence of a domestic violence in a society has a negative impact in a

proper functioning of a family in particular and of a society in general. The

domestic violence may also result in risking the life and health of the family

members. Therefore the creation of a sound family is the aim of every society; it is

the aim of Kosovo as well.

1 Mr. Sc Department of Criminal Law, Faculty of Law, University of Prishtina, Kosovo. Address: Rr.

"George Bush", p.n. 10 000 Prishtinë Republika e Kosovës, Tel: +381 38 244 183 /244 186, Fax:

+381 38 244 187. Corresponding author: flutura.tahiraj@yahoo.com.

AUDJ, vol. 11, no. 2/2015, pp. 55-66