OSCE Mission survey reveals concerning data about psychological violence against women and girls in Montenegro
An opinion poll conducted in Montenegro found that 85 per cent of respondents perceive psychological violence against women and girls as being either very common or at least occurring in individual cases. A third of women respondents personally experienced at least one form of psychological violence and over 44.1 per cent of respondents believe this to be the most common form of violence in intimate (partner) and family relationships.
These are some of the key findings from a Survey on attitudes and perceptions of psychological violence against women and girls in family and intimate partner relationships presented on 16 November in Podgorica. The survey was commissioned by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro for the NGO Women’s Safe House and conducted by the DeFacto Agency from May to July on a representative sample of 1,008 citizens over the age of 18. Although this is not a traditional victimological research in terms of its scope, it provides important findings, not only about how psychological violence is perceived by Montenegrin citizens, but also about its prevalence.
“The research has revealed concerning findings. The data, cross-referenced with demographic variables, found that the probability of a woman experiencing psychological violence remains the same, regardless of her age, educational background or employment status, or whether she lives in an urban or rural area. In other words, any woman can be subjected to psychological violence,” said Olivera Komar from the DeFacto Agency.
Following the presentation, Dominique Waag, Head of the Mission stressed that psychological violence against women and girls is a social and public health problem, with serious consequences not only for the victims’ well-being, but also for their children, and more broadly for society as a whole. “Psychological violence often precedes physical. This report sheds more light on the issue and its grave consequences, and can contribute to its early identification in the society , and support reporting and processing complaints,” said Ambassador Waag.
Budislavka Saveljić, executive director of the NGO Women’s Safe House, underlined a concerning finding that as much as one-third of the surveyed citizens believe that women and girls make false claims of psychological violence just to draw attention to themselves. “What is further concerning is that almost one-fifth believe that a man has the right to tell a woman/girl to be quiet if he finds her annoying. Therefore, it is not surprising that more than half of the surveyed women and girls who experienced some form of psychological violence did not report it to anyone, and almost one-third turned only to family and friends,”’ said Saveljić.
Building on the survey presented today, the Mission supported the Women’s Safe House’s social media campaign to be launched on 17 November, to increase public awareness on psychological violence, the daily experience of those living with it, and the tactics perpetrators use to threaten and exercise control.
In its support to human rights in Montenegro, the Mission remains committed to supporting institutions, NGOs and citizens to eliminate all forms of violence against women and ensure zero tolerance towards it.