Public prosecutor as the agency of protection of domestic violence victims in the legal system of Serbia

Abstract

This paper examines the role of a public prosecutor in the protection of domestic violence victims in the legal system of the Republic of Serbia. Prior to the analysis of relevant provisions of the laws referring to the authority and competences of the public prosecutor in relation to the protection of domestic violence victims, the term ’victim’ in the legal system of Serbia is defined. The term ‚victim‘ is commonly used in the legal texts, but it is not defined; thus, it is necessary to specify certain aspects of this term. In the analysis of certain legal provisions, the focus is on some of the most significant criminal, misdemeanor and family law institutes, as well as on the provisions of the Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence, which could affect the role of the public prosecutor in prevention of domestic violence and protection of its victims. In the final part the authors propose certain solutions which should enhance implementation of existing mechanisms available to the public prosecutor in practice, which could contribute to better protection of domestic violence victims.