Prevention of domestic violence

Forms of violence

Physical violence denotes any use of physical force or threat to use physical force that coerces the victim to do something or to refrain from doing something, or makes the victim suffer or restricts the victim's movement or communication and causes the victim pain, fear or shame, regardless of whether injuries were inflicted.

Sexual violence involves actions of a sexual nature without the victim's consent, to which the victim is forced or does not understand their meaning owing to the victim's stage of development, threats to use sexual violence and publication of material of a sexual nature relating to the victim.

Psychological violence denotes such actions and dissemination of information through which the perpetrator of violence induces fear, shame, feelings of inferiority, endangerment and other anguish in the victim, including where carried out by using information and communication technology.

Economic violence is the undue control or placing of restrictions on a victim concerning disposal of one's income or managing the assets of which the victim independently disposes or manages, or the undue restricting of disposal or management of the common financial assets of family members, undue failure to fulfil financial or material obligations to a family member, or undue transfer of financial or material obligations to a family member.

Neglect is a form of violence in which a perpetrator of violence does not provide due care for a victim who is in need of it due to illness, disability, old age, developmental or any other personal circumstances.

Stalking is wilful, repeated and unwanted establishment of contact, following, physical intrusion, watching, loitering in places frequented by the victim, or other unwanted forms of intrusion in the victim's life.

Protection of the victim

The competent authorities and organisations are obliged to give priority consideration to domestic violence and do everything in their power to protect victims thereof. Measures taken in this respect are commensurate with the level of threat posed to the victim. When domestic violence is identified, the victim is immediately referred to a crisis centre, where they are provided with expert assistance and accommodation. If the victim still needs accommodation support after the termination of their stay in the crisis centre, they can find shelter in a safe house or refuge. The victim has the right to free legal assistance and an assistant who accompanies them in all violence-related procedures, helps protect their integrity, assists them in finding solutions, and provides psychological support for them. If necessary, the police or the courts may prohibit the perpetrator of violence from approaching a particular place or person. On the proposal of the victim, the courts may prohibit the perpetrator of violence from entering the common dwelling and, if necessary, order the perpetrator to leave the dwelling to the exclusive use of the victim. With the perpetrator of violence being the person who is required to leave, the victim is no longer forced to leave their home and go to a safe house or a women’s refuge.

Children, as the most vulnerable social group, enjoy the highest level of protection, as do persons with disabilities, the elderly and persons with special needs.  The Domestic Violence Prevention Act stipulates that children are considered victims of violence even if they are only present where violence is perpetrated against other family members. Any person who suspects that a child may be a victim of violence is obliged to report their suspicion to a social work centre, the police or the State Prosecutor’s Office, even when bound by professional secrecy. The Domestic Violence Prevention Act also prohibits the exposure of children to mass media in cases of domestic violence so as to protect children from further violence as a result of pressure from the media and social stigmatisation.

Reporting Violence

Authorities and organizations as well as non-governmental organizations which in their work encounter circumstances on basis of which it is possible to conclude that violence is being inflicted, shall be obliged to immediately inform a social work centre, except in cases where the victims themselves expressly oppose this and there is no suspicion of criminal offence that should be prosecuted ex officio.

Anyone, and in particular professional healthcare staff and personnel working in care institutions, educational and social institutions, as well as providers of activities for children within sports and culture associations shall – regardless of the provisions on the protection of business secrets – immediately inform a social work centre, the police or the State Prosecutor’s Office where there is a suspicion that a child or a person who due to personal circumstances is not capable of taking care of him of herself, is the victim of violence.

It is important that if you experience or witness violence, you report it!

A victim of domestic violence can contact:

• a social work center (in Slovene) or
• the police

if they are in danger.

A victim of domestic violence may not be able to report the violence, so it is important that if you witness or perceive domestic violence, you report it to the police. You can remain anonymous when reporting.

Programmes to prevent violence

Individuals who find themselves in distress related to violence may seek help through the public social assistance services network. These services are provided by public social care institutions and other legal and natural persons that obtain a concession or authorisation for work. Services within the social assistance system are complemented by various social assistance programmes related to violence prevention, including women's shelters, safe houses, refuges, crisis centres, information and counselling, treatment of victims of sexual violence, treatment of perpetrators of violence, telephone counselling, comprehensive treatment of victims of violence among persons with disabilities, prevention programmes related to violence against older people and other programmes implemented by NGOs and other legal entities.

Crisis centres

Crisis centres provide immediate 24-hour assistance to accommodate women and children who are victims of violence.

Programmes for comprehensive treatment, comprehensive assistance and support to victims of sexual abuse

Programmes for comprehensive treatment, comprehensive assistance and support to victims of sexual abuse are specialized social welfare programs that provide assistance and support to victims of sexual violence.

Counselling for victims of violence

Psychosocial assistance programmes for victims of violence and crime are specialised psychosocial and therapeutic programmes to help those who are or have been victims of violence.

Safe houses and shelters

Safe houses and shelters provide a shorter form of accommodation support for women and children who are victims of violence. Crisis centres provide immediate 24-hour assistance to accommodate women and children who are victims of violence.

Law

• Domestic Violence Prevention Act
• Resolution on the National programme for the prevention of domestic violence and violence against women 2024–2029