The Ministry added that in all societies, including ours, violence against children most commonly occurred in the family, whereas bullies were usually people who were close to the child.
The CEO of the SOS Telephone for Violence against Women and Children, Biljana Zekovic, said that they were usually contacted by children who wanted to share experiences related to the abuse suffered by their mothers. There were also cases when they called to say they were victims of violence.
“Those are mostly girls, who often suffer physical violence from their fathers. We have had cases of incest, which is much more complicated to solve, because a long-term support is necessary”, Ms Zekovic said adding that there were cases of parents believing to be entitled to ‘rehab’ their children by beating, kicking and slapping them.
The social worker and family therapist, Dijana Popovic-Gavranovic, agreed that corporal punishment as a corrective measure was still present in Montenegro.
“Inadequacy of the beating and the need to sanction physical punishment has become topical in Montenegro only recently,” she said, stressing that parents found it difficult to recognise their mistakes, often blaming children for inappropriate behaviour.
Experts say that children who were physically punished are more often depressed, use alcohol, express anger more often, later beat their children or partner, approve physical violence as adults and often deal with crime and acts of violence.
Ms Popovic Gavranovic pointed out that corporal punishment could be justified only if they were proportionate and only exceptionally applied. According to her, the child was at risk as long as the abuse was secret. Therefore, she said, it was important to report violence. Thus the abuse would be stopped and the family and the child could get adequate help.
She explains that reporting the problem makes visible, stop violence against the child, enables the child and family receive the help they need.
“Criminal proceedings are not sufficient for a child. The child should be helped to re-experience her/himself as someone who is loved and respected in order for her/him to be able to love and respect others”, Ms Popovic-Gavranovic said, adding that if the child was given appropriate treatment and support, the pain would gradually disappear, the wounds would be healed and she/he would be able to live a normal life again.
