#missedopportunities: A campaign by women’s organizations reminding us of the government’s failure to support and protect women and children who have experienced violence

Belgrade, 5-15 December 2023. In cooperation with organizations from the Network of Women Against Violence and the Network for the European Women's Lobby in Serbia, the Autonomous Women's Center conducted a campaign on social networks with the slogan #missedopportunities. The goal of the campaign was to point out what the previous Government and the National Assembly could have done, but failed to do, in order to ensure better support and protection for women who have experienced violence, but also for children who have witnessed violence. Women's organizations called on the incoming Government and the new MPs to provide sufficient resources, appropriate laws and policies for the support and protection of women and children from violence, to which they are entitled in accordance with the international standards adopted by Serbia.

Six important topics that represent #missed opportunities are highlighted in short video clips:

that the misuse of photographs and recordings of sexual content becomes a criminal offense,
changing the definition of the criminal offense of rape, so that any sexual relationship without consent is considered as rape,
to ensure the protection of children who witness domestic violence,
to adopt a budget which provides for help and support for victims of sexual, partner and domestic violence,
to organize a public hearing on the murder of Sanja M. in Pirot and to demand accountability for those responsible in cases of femicide,
to propose the establishment of Victim Assistance and Support Services in all basic Public Prosecutor’s offices in Serbia.

The campaign reached 200,000 people in a short time on the AWC channels (FB and Twitter). Video attachments had more than 230,000 views, and people engaged with the video more than 6,000 times (likes, shares, comments...). The campaign was supported by the Swedish foundation Kvinna till Kvinna. It remains to be seen whether the new authorities will take any of the proposed measures to provide better support and protection from violence to women and children.