SOCIAL PROTECTION OF CHILDREN VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA EXPERIENCE

Andrea Rakanović Radonjić

University of Banjaluka, Faculty for Political Science, Department for Social Work

Andrea Rakanović Radonjić is PhD candidate of science of social work. Employed at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Banja Luka, as a senior assistant in the scientific field in social work. Among other she is associate in teaching on the subject: Social work in prevention and protection from domestic violence. Previously, she worked at the Center for Social Work in Banjaluka as a social worker. For eight years she was a member of the Mobile Team for the care of victims of domestic violence within Center for Social work Banjaluka. In the academic career she is particularly interested for care of children at risk and children without parental care, with special emphasis on fostering. She has participated in several scientific conferences in the field of social work as author or co-author of scientific papers. She has published five scientific papers in the field of social work. The last conference she has participated was ICSS XI held at Helsinki in January 2017., as an co-author and the presenter of scientific paper: Specialized Foster care as system approach, Deinstitutionalization of Social protection in case of adults with developmental difficulties in the Republic of Srpska - A case study.

Abstract

Domestic violence, with specific forms of expression and the serious consequences, takes on dramatic form and dynamics in the Republic of Srpska for last twenty years. Children in need of urgent, expert and professional help of social protection systems sufferes most serious consequences. Social protection of victims in the Republic of Serpska is defined by the Social Welfare Law. This creates new challenges for the various actions of the Social Welfare system. To ensuring efficient and effective protection and defining the responsibilities of social actors, Republic of Srpska has created a legal framework by adoption of Law on Protection from Domestic Violence. Actions and direct work on the prevention of violence against children within the family, as well as victims treatment is carried out by Centers for social work.

The paper analyzes measures and social services provided to children victims of domestic violence. It also provides a review of the positive regulations governing this area. The paper specifically discusses the statistical indicators of reported cases of violence against children.

Number of children, victims of domestic violence, increases from year to year in the Republic of Srpska. Data shows that a quarter of reported cases of domestic violence relates solely to violence against children. Most of the action in Centers for social work is focused on the psycho-social work, increased supervision measures and placement of children in "safe houses".

The practical implementation of the measures provided for by Law is weak. The reason lies in inconsistencies in law enforcement from behalf of institutions, insufficient number of specialized institutions dealing with this problem, the lack of material and human resources in the centers for social work, lack of skilled profesionals and the problem of poor social sensitivity.

Keywords: violence against children, family, social protection, Republic of Srpska, Centers for social work

Authors

Dragana Šćepović (University of Banjaluka, Faculty for Political Science, Department for Social Work)
Ljubo Lepir (University of Banjaluka, Faculty for Political Science, Department for Social Work)
Andrea Rakanović Radonjić (University of Banjaluka, Faculty for Political Science, Department for Social Work)

Topic Area

Child Protection Systems and Strategies at local, national and international levels

Session

Daily » Poster Sessions (14:00 - Wednesday, 4th October, King Willem Alexander Foyer)

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