Protection of old persons under family law

• Main Author: Kujundžić Slavica M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Law 2017-01-01
• Series: Zbornik Radova: Pravni Fakultet u Novom Sadu
• Subjects: domestic violence; violence against the elderly; the Center for Social Work; Family Law; the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence
• Online Access: http://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0550-2179/2017/0550-21791701183K.pdf
• ISSN: 0550-2179; 2406-1255

Domestic violence is a social phenomenon which paid special attention nowadays, both in our country and in the world. It is a very sensitive topic that deeply interferes into the basic cell of society, such as a family, but also the wider community itself. The Republic of Serbia has made a major breakthrough in this area by passing the Family Law in 2005, which was the first law of this type that clearly defines the concept of domestic violence, as well as actions that is described as violence and the group of persons who consider themselves victims of violence. The adoption of the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence, which enters into force at June the 1st 2017, represents an additional step forward when it comes to the regulation of domestic violence, particularly in the area of preventive action and coordination of all stakeholders involved in solving this problem. This study pays special attention to one category of victims of domestic violence, namely, the elderly (persons over 65 years of age). The elderly in our society are one of the most vulnerable groups, taking into account their physical health and also financial situation. All available data indicate that this group of victims are reluctant to speak, and that a large number of acts of domestic violence against the elderly go unreported within the same family, while the perpetrators remain unpunished.