A few nongovernmental associations that staged rallies a week ago in support of sexual violence victims, on Friday said that they welcomed the government's decision to send to the parliament several legislative amendments which would impose more stringent penalisation in order to prevent and counter-violence.

This past Thursday the government sent into parliament procedure the draft amendments to the Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Act and the Protection from Domestic Violence Act.

The four NGOs that signed a press release on Friday evening said that the proposed amendments ensued after last March the activists organised a rally in Zagreb at which thousands of protesters raised their voice against violence.

They also welcomed the proposed changes to the legislation as a step in the right direction.

They demand further steps in so as to provide victims of sexual and family violence with comprehensive protection.

These NGOs demand that the government provide them with financial assistance so that they can expand a network of shelters specialised in giving psychotherapeutic and legal support to victims of sexual violence.

In this context, they underline that currently there is only one centre specialised in providing sexual violence victims with appropriate professional assistance. Therefore the activists advocate the establishment of at least three more such centres in Croatia.

PM: HRK 70 million for shelters for victims of violence

During his cabinet’s meeting this past Thursday, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said that an additional HRK 70 million was ensured by the Regional Development and EU Funds Ministry and the Social Welfare Ministry for the work of shelters for victims of violence.