AGENCY FOR STATISTICS OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Geneva Switzerland

Is violence against woman measured in your country? Violence against women in BiH and especially violence in the family especially in a family community is deeply rooted and widely spread social problem. Behind the facade of civilization and modern life, BiH is deeply traditional and patriarchal society. This is a problem that is ignored and about which little is known. The problem of violence against women should be seen in the fact that the BiH society is exposed to strong militarization as a consequence of the last war. The position of women is further worsen by post-war transition processes that mostly control and lead men. Studies show a general lack of support and understanding of women victims of domestic violence. Traditional prejudices held opinion that this form of violence is a private matter in which the state should not interfere.

The problem is minimized at all levels, and there is a strong societal perception that women are the one that causes tension in the family or relationships, and that therefore she is usually accused that she caused it and that she deserves the violence that had happened to her. women are expected to remain silent about violence because it is her shame and failure. The State has not created a system that would provide support to victims and facilitate the search and obtainin the adequate assistance in such matter.

The factual situation The factual situation regarding violence against women is as follows: Special surveys and studies on this issue at the state level do not exist. Reports of NGOs alrmely talk about increasing the number of victims. The disturbing fact is that the state does not collect data on violence against women. There is not any official statistics on the state or entity level, or appropriate professional research or analysis of this problem. State agencies which often have first contact with the victim such as police, social work centers and the courts neither collect data or report on this issue. Unofficial data on the number of women victims of violence exist only as part of the evidence of non-governmental organizations about the clients that have requested assistance from them, but even they do not have data on the number of the entity or state level, because until now there was no requirement to carry out more extensive research.

The legal situation The state did not take effective legal, preventive or protective measures to enable women as well as men to enjoy the basic human right to live without violence. The new Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina contains no provisions concerning the protection of women and girls from violence and domestic violence. The Law on Gender Equality and the Law on the Prohibition of Domestic Violence of BiH provides a good basis for their implementation, but unfortunately the reality is not quite so. Entity laws governing domestic violence as a criminal offense and sanction it, but examples from around the country show that these provisions do not provide effective protection from violence and they don not consistently apply. Criminal Code of RS domestic violence treats as a criminal act.

This crime, if it did not cause serious consequence, punishable by fine or imprisonment not exceeding two years. NGOs believe that these efforts are of little impact on reducing levels of domestic violence and violence against women. The legal situation in the Federation of BiH is similar.

Preventive measures In both entities the disparity is very visible between the number of reported cases of domestic violence and violence against women and those who came to court. The reasons are caused by the tradition and patriarchal values. Studies show an inadequate response of the police or other state institutions, even when lives are in danger of victims of violence. Women usually have no place to go after they have been abused so in many cases they keep living with the abuser. NGO’s are trying to give at least some short- term assistance to victims of domestic violence and violence commited against women through its services. But for now, throughout the country there are few shelters for victims of violence within the NGO’s. There are temporary shelter for women and children victims of violence who are, unfortunately, a small capacity and temporary.

What methodology was used to measure violence against women? Give examples of recent studies/or surveys laborated in your country on violence against women. There was no concrete methodology used to measure violence against women in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Does your statistical office plan to measure violence against women in the upcoming years? The Agency for statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina is in upcoming period planning to measure violence against women.