A roundtable entitled "Domestic Violence is a Social Problem" was held in Bratunac, bringing together representatives of institutions, civil society organizations, and the local community to launch the process of developing an Action Plan for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence in this municipality. The gathering was an opportunity to look at the problem of violence from different perspectives, exchange experiences and agree on the first concrete steps towards establishing a systemic response to this problem.

The roundtable was organized by the Women's Association "Priroda" Bratunac in cooperation with the associations "Maja" and "ART", as part of a campaign implemented as part of the PRAGG project. The aim of which is to improve multisectoral cooperation between institutions and organizations that have a role in protecting victims of violence, as well as strengthening support for people exposed to domestic violence.

"The purpose of this meeting was to get to know each other and agree on activities for the development of an Action Plan for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence for the Municipality of Bratunac. We received support in principle from the Mayor of the Municipality, Dr. Lazar Prodanović, as well as representatives of the competent Department of Economy and Social Affairs, the Municipal Gender Equality Commission, the President of the Municipal Council and the Center for Social Work, with whom we held meetings on the topic of our activities at the beginning of this month," said the President of the "Priroda" Women's Union Željana Pjevalica.

An analysis of the situation in the municipality of Bratunac was presented at the event, which shows the need for urgent and joint action. Namely, in 2025, according to data from the Bratunac Police Station, 21 cases of domestic violence were recorded (an increase compared to 2024). Most often, it is violence between spouses, with men being the perpetrators in most cases, although cases in which women committed violence have also been recorded.

One of the conclusions of the roundtable was that the problem of violence must be viewed from multiple perspectives, which is why it was proposed to include the Center for Mental Health in the process of developing the Action Plan, to strengthen support for people exposed to violence. During the meeting, the agreement of relevant institutions and organizations – signatories of the protocol on cooperation in the prevention of violence – to participate in further activities, including workshops where a draft Action Plan will be developed, was confirmed.

“Only through the joint work of institutions and organizations can we more effectively combat violence and reduce the risk of its recurrence. Domestic violence is not a private matter – it is a problem that concerns us all!” - announced the UŽ “Priroda”.