Over 30 cases identified as domestic violence were registered in October this year in the Sarajevo Canton and of all perpetrators, half of them had already been reported for committing similar offences, according to the Sarajevo Canton Interior Ministry

“Exactly because of such cases we must encourage all citizens of the Canton and beyond, not to allow anybody to harass them physically or mentally. If they cannot solve conflicts on their own, they should turn to the social welfare centres or the police,” said Interior Minister Admir Katica, speaking at a workshop on preventing, handling and combatting domestic violence.

The event for representatives of all police precincts in the Sarajevo Canton was organised on Thursday in Sarajevo by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Joeri Maas, Chief of Policy and Planning of the OSCE Mission stressed that domestic violence directly affected a “significant number of women in Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond.”

“This issue is not always visible and it is not always easy to respond to it. However, it is always a security concern of the entire society, and it has to be prevented and dealt with. The responsibility to address these crimes lies with all of us, and requires a strong and coordinated response. Violence is not a private matter,” he added.

In the framework of the global campaign of 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina invited all those who witness or are experiencing any form of violence or abuse to report it to the police through 122 and free SOS lines: 1264 (for Republika Srpska) or 1265 (for Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina).