Criminality of Domestic Violence: Frequency, Protective Measures and Legal Treatment according to the Legislation of the Republic of Kosovo

Abstract

The concept of domestic violence includes those actions that are taken against a family member, affecting the well-being of normal functioning by causing fear and exercising control. The purpose of the paper is to provide summarized data regarding domestic violence based on current theories provided by various studies. The paper also aims to analyze the legal treatment of this crime, including the punishments for the perpetrators as well as the protective measures against the victim. The criminal offense of domestic violence has marked a significant increase in cases, including light bodily injury, which has marked a relatively slight increase. Contempt of the court constitutes the third criminal offense which within the three-year period has also marked a relatively easy increase. The criminal offense of assault has marked a marked decrease in terms of prevalence during the discussed periods, while the remaining offenses such as threat, grievous bodily injury, child abuse or abandonment, as well as violating family obligations have not had any noticeable change in terms of their spreading.