Contributed by: Vanja Mikulic and Irena Milatovic, Montenegro National VAW Monitors

SOS Hotline for Women and Children Victims of Violence-Niksic continues with their activities in the struggle against domestic violence within the project ‘Program of Coordinated Activities for Elimination of Domestic Violence in Niksic’, which we undertake in partnership with the Canadian International Development Agency.

This time, they are launching the action of animating the general public with particular attention to women victims of domestic violence. Clearly and unambiguously, the SOS Hotline Niksic announced to the general public and to the part of the Montenegrin legislature that is dealing with the problem of domestic violence, what should be done with the offender?; so we decided on the slogan ‘Without Parole! The Violent Husband Straight to Spuz.’

For those who are not familiar with the term, Spuz is the well-known name of a notorious prison in Montenegro.

As the first step of this action, it is decided to set the billboard on one of the most visited spots in Niksic. The message is clear: a dark, cold prison cell is waiting for its next ‘tenant’ – the domestic violence offender! Also, Article 220 of the Criminal Law of Republic of Montenegro is cited, which found a suitable place on the billboard. Another set of actions will follow, which will be announced afterward.

Within the campaign “Without Parole! The Violent Husband Straight to Spuz”, SOS Niksic continued to perform actions aiming at inducing citizens of Niksic to confront a very widespread domestic violence problem. SOS Niksic, with the assistance of Aero Club “Niksic,” threw out of the plane 20 000 of leaflets above the city center of the town. This action happened on the 4th of September because it was the beginning of the school year, and the town was full of parents, children, and students. The success of the action was also achieved by the fact that the day was sunny without wind.

The population was informed of the services where they can seek help in cases of domestic violence. Also, the population was reminded once again that domestic violence is a criminal act. Within the action, besides throwing out the leaflets, we have also distributed materials in the busiest places in town, such as municipality, banks, posts, pharmacies, stores.

The photo above presents the billboard.

Source: SOS Hotline for Women and Children Victims of Violence Niksic.