CoE: Montenegro needs to do more for victims of violence

CoE’s independent expert group monitoring the implementation of the Istanbul Convention (GREVIO) said in the report that areas which require urgent action by the government include support, protection and justice for victims of violence against women and domestic violence.

“GREVIO welcomes the fact that since the adoption of its baseline evaluation report on Montenegro, the authorities have taken important steps to further align their legal and policy framework with the requirements of the Istanbul Convention,” a press release said.

It added that “harmful gender stereotypes and patriarchal attitudes persist in all sectors of Montenegrin society, including in the media and politics, and shape the attitudes of professionals dealing with victims or perpetrators, such as law-enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, social workers, and healthcare professionals”. It said that those professionals need to undergo training urgently.

The report warned of an urgent need to improve the handling of cases of violence against women because of serious shortcomings in ensuring swift and impartial response by law-enforcement officials, and in the processing of cases by courts in decisions on custody and visitation rights.

“GREVIO has further expressed concern about the effective protection of victims by emergency barring orders and protection orders due to the limited availability and/or use of such orders,” the press release said.

The report said Social Work Centers need resources and health care services need to provide privacy to victims. It recommended funding for women’s rights NGOs that run specialist support services for women victims; better data collection on all forms of violence; promoting gender equality and non-stereotyped gender roles in formal education, and including age-appropriate teaching on consent in sexual relations, and the issue of violence against women.