Violence hurts even without bruises – a third of citizens believe that women are making up stories about psychological abuse – vijesti.me

European Commission Report on Montenegro Highlights Challenges to Sustainable Development Goals

A recent European Commission (EC) Progress Report on Montenegro has raised significant concerns regarding the nation’s progress towards key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The report highlights alarming societal attitudes towards gender-based violence, with data indicating that one-third of Montenegrin citizens believe women fabricate accounts of psychological abuse. This perception fundamentally undermines efforts to achieve SDG Target 5.2, which calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls. Furthermore, systemic failures in the justice system, noted in the report, impede progress on SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Societal Perceptions and Mental Health Stigma: Barriers to SDG 3 and SDG 5

The Invisibility of Psychological Violence

According to psychotherapist Dragana Djokic, the widespread disbelief in women’s experiences of psychological violence indicates a societal failure to recognize this form of abuse as legitimate. This denial perpetuates a dangerous misconception that the absence of physical injury equates to an absence of harm. Such attitudes create significant barriers to achieving SDG 3, as psychological violence inflicts long-term damage on an individual’s mental health, self-confidence, and overall well-being. The consequences of this societal denial include:

• The re-traumatization of victims whose experiences are invalidated.
• A diminished likelihood that victims will seek protection and support.
• The reinforcement of harmful gender stereotypes that obstruct progress on SDG 5.

Gender Roles and Mental Health Stigma

The stigma surrounding women’s mental health in Montenegro is deeply rooted in traditional gender roles, which historically cast women as emotionally resilient pillars of the family, incapable of weakness. Djokic notes that when women speak out about depression, anxiety, or emotional abuse, it is often dismissed as exaggeration. This cultural pattern of suppressing emotions creates a vicious cycle where women suffer in silence, exacerbating mental health problems and hindering the promotion of well-being as outlined in SDG Target 3.4. Breaking this cycle is essential for fostering a society that supports both gender equality and mental health.

Systemic and Institutional Response: An Analysis in the Context of SDG 16

Legal and Judicial Shortcomings

The EC report identifies critical weaknesses within Montenegro’s justice system, which directly impacts the country’s ability to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions as mandated by SDG 16. The low level of accountability for perpetrators of gender-based violence is a primary concern. Key institutional failures include:

1. Low Accountability: Only 10 percent of convictions for gender-based violence result in a prison sentence.
2. Mild Penalties: Sentences are frequently imposed near the legal minimum, failing to act as a sufficient deterrent.
3. Lack of Rehabilitation: The country needs to develop psychosocial treatment programs for perpetrators of violence to prevent recidivism.

Support Services and Funding

While the government has increased funding for victim support services, the EC report assesses that financing for specialized services for women victims of violence remains insufficient and requires a sustainable model. In 2025, the budget for accommodation services for victims was raised to €500,000. However, the report stresses the urgent need for comprehensive prevention measures and enhanced training for professionals working with victims. The absence of crisis centers and clear protocols for handling cases of sexual violence leaves victims without adequate support, representing a failure to protect vulnerable populations and uphold justice, central tenets of SDG 16 and SDG 5.

Data on Gender-Based Violence and the Path Forward

Prevalence of Psychological Violence

Data from the Women’s Safe House annual report underscores the scale of the problem. In the previous year, 651 individuals sought assistance for domestic violence, with psychological abuse being the most common form reported. This data provides critical evidence of the need for targeted interventions to meet SDG 5. The breakdown of reported violence is as follows:

• Psychological violence: 57%
• Physical and psychological violence: 30.2%
• Sexual violence: 4.3%
• Economic violence: 4.3%
• Online violence: 3.8%

Recommendations for Progress

Achieving progress requires a multi-sectoral approach focused on education, dialogue, and institutional reform. The following actions are essential for aligning Montenegro’s efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals:

1. Education (SDG 4): Integrate mental health and gender equality into the education system, media campaigns, and public discourse to dismantle harmful myths and stereotypes.
2. Open Dialogue (SDG 3): Foster a culture where discussing mental health is encouraged and viewed as a sign of courage, not weakness, thereby promoting universal well-being.
3. Preventive Action: Transition from a reactive to a preventive framework for addressing gender-based violence and mental health crises.
4. Institutional Strengthening (SDG 16): Ensure adequate and sustainable financing for victim support services and establish clear, effective procedures for protecting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses issues related to gender-based violence, mental health, and the justice system, which directly connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This goal is central to the article, which focuses on psychological, physical, and other forms of violence against women in Montenegro. It highlights societal stereotypes, the stigma women face, and the critical role of support services like the Women’s Safe House. The European Commission’s concern about attitudes towards female victims and the low accountability for perpetrators directly addresses the mission to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article extensively covers the topic of mental health, particularly in the context of psychological violence. Psychotherapist Dragana Đokić emphasizes that psychological abuse leaves “long-term marks on a person’s self-confidence, sense of worth and general psychological well-being.” The discussion on the stigma surrounding women’s mental health, the need for preventive action rather than reactive responses to tragedies, and the call for open dialogue in schools, workplaces, and the media all align with promoting mental health and well-being.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is addressed through the article’s critique of the justice system’s response to gender-based violence. The Montenegro Progress Report points out that the “low level of accountability of perpetrators remains a problem,” with “only 10 percent of convictions for violence result in a prison sentence.” The mention of mild sentences, the lack of crisis centers, and the need to train professionals who work with victims all point to weaknesses in institutional frameworks meant to provide justice and protection for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. The article highlights discriminatory societal attitudes, such as the belief by “a third of Montenegrin citizens… that women are making up stories about suffering psychological violence,” which is a form of social discrimination that re-injures victims and prevents them from seeking help.
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. This is the core theme. The article provides data on various forms of violence reported to the Women’s Safe House, including psychological (57%), physical (30.2%), sexual (4.3%), and economic (4.3%) violence.

2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The article’s emphasis on the need for a preventive, rather than reactive, approach to mental health directly supports this target. Đokić’s call to “talk about mental health in schools, in the workplace, in the media” and to create a culture where it is “okay to say that we are not well” is aimed at promoting mental health and well-being.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The article’s focus on gender-based violence and the efforts of organizations to support victims contribute to this target.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article directly critiques the failure to provide equal access to justice, citing that “only 10 percent of convictions for violence result in a prison sentence” and that penalties are “still mild” and “close to the legal minimum.” This demonstrates a lack of accountability and a failure of the rule of law for victims of violence.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Societal Attitudes (Target 5.1): The statistic that “a third of Montenegrin citizens believe that women are making up stories about suffering psychological violence” serves as a baseline indicator of discriminatory social norms. A reduction in this percentage over time would indicate progress.
• Indicators for Justice System Effectiveness (Target 16.3):
  • The proportion of convictions for violence that result in a prison sentence, currently at a low “10 percent.” An increase in this rate would signify stronger accountability.
  • The number of gender-based violence cases initiated, which was “862 cases… during this year.” Tracking this number can help understand reporting trends.
  • The severity of sentences, as the report notes they are “often imposed ‘close to the legal minimum’.” A shift towards more stringent penalties would be a measurable change.
• Indicators for Prevalence and Support Services (Target 5.2):
  • The number of victims seeking help, such as the “651 people [who] approached [the Women’s Safe House] last year.”
  • The prevalence of different forms of violence reported, with data provided by the Women’s Safe House: “psychological violence… 57 percent,” “physical and psychological violence 30,2 percent,” “sexual violence 4,3 percent,” etc. Changes in these patterns could indicate shifts in the nature of violence or reporting.
• Indicators for Institutional Support and Prevention (Targets 5.2, 3.4):
  • The level of state funding for support services. The article mentions specific figures, such as the allocation of “300.000 euros” in 2024, which was “increased to 500.000 euros” in 2025. This is a direct financial indicator of government commitment.
  • The existence and availability of specialized services, such as “crisis centers” and “psychosocial treatment programs for perpetrators,” which the article notes are lacking. The establishment of such services would be a key progress indicator.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: en.vijesti.me