According to data from the World Health Organization, one in six people aged 60 and over experiences some form of violence worldwide, and Serbia is no exception. This violence can be physical, emotional, mental, financial, legal, social, or health-related, as well as abuse and neglect, while a large number of elderly individuals also face discrimination. An alarming fact is that the most frequent perpetrators of violence are family members, and that this issue is insufficiently discussed—partly due to fear of the abuser, lack of trust in institutions, and feelings of shame and guilt experienced by the victims themselves, said Commissioner Brankica Janković at the event organized to mark the International Day of Combating Violence Against the Elderly. The event was held by the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, in cooperation with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, as a continuation of ongoing collaboration in this area.

The Commissioner emphasized that older persons are not a homogeneous group, which significantly increases the risks of all forms of violence, neglect, and discrimination—especially for certain subgroups such as older women, the elderly living in rural areas, members of ethnic minorities, refugees, and persons with disabilities. She highlighted the positive development that the United Nations has established a working group for drafting a new convention on the human rights of older persons. This represents a decisive step toward adopting a much-needed legally binding international framework that would strengthen and protect their rights globally. However, Janković stressed, a similar strategy must also be developed at the national level.

At the event, speeches were given by the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, Christian Ebner, and the Attaché for Labor, Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection, Manuel Aigner, who presented the pilot project “Refugium” focused on the protection and support of elderly persons exposed to violence. A panel titled “Closing the Circle” was held, moderated by Sandra Perić from the Chamber of Social Protection. The panel featured speakers including Prof. Dr. Nebojša Despotović from the Zvezdara Clinical Hospital Center, Nataša Todorović from the Red Cross of Serbia, Vladimir Antić from the Association Argument, and Nadežda Satarić from the Аssociation Amity, who inspired a lively discussion among the participants.

The event concluded that it is necessary to speak more frequently about this issue and to change both the narrative and the perception of aging. It emphasized the need for a shift in consciousness and the development of a culture that respects older people as equal members of society and enables them to fully realize all human rights. The necessity of revising protocols for all state institutions in cases of domestic violence was underlined, with special attention to violence against the elderly. Also highlighted was the need for better coordination among all stakeholders in the system, including civil society organizations, and the introduction of specialized training for all professionals involved in the system for protection against violence. It was also concluded that interventions in the domain of criminal law are required, including the introduction of a specific criminal offense for violence against the elderly. The necessity of a more proactive role of the media was stressed—especially that of the public broadcaster—since the elderly population in Serbia mostly gets information through that media.

The conference also featured an exhibition titled “Stop Violence Against the Elderly”.