Raising public awareness of the issue and encouraging citizens to report on the domestic violence

To mark the International Day for the Prevention of Violence against Women, the campaign "Living Life Free of Violence" was launched by the Ministry of Interior and United Nations in Croatia on 8 November. The goal of prevention activities is to bring awareness to the public on the issue of violence and to encourage citizens, especially victims, to report domestic violence. "Living Life Free of Violence" targets the students of primary and secondary schools, teachers, parents and the whole community. The campaign will be implemented in all Croatian Police Administrations till 24 November.

During November, video clips on family violence will be screened in schools throughout Croatia. Pedagogues and other Family centers' experts will speak on the domestic violence and its prevention. The students will also have the possibility to learn more through educational materials on domestic violence.

Students will also be engaged in painting and writing workshops in their schools. The best works will be displayed at the exhibition in the selected school, Family center and later at the Police Museum in Zagreb, marking the end of the campaign.

The central sport and entertainment event will take place on the last day of the campaign, 24 November, in schools throughout Croatia.

Organizers of this nationwide campaign are the Ministry of Interior and the UN in Croatia. Partners in the implementation include: Ministry of Family, Veterans and Intergenerational Solidarity (Family centers), Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of Justice, Agency for Science and Higher Education and the civil society organizations.

Domestic violence destroys families; destroys physical and psychological health and self-confidence leaving multiple consequences to children who are victims and witnesses of domestic violence. Domestic violence affects all family members, causes problems at work, and school. It can cause serious bodily injuries, even death of the victim. No one deserves to be abused!

Live Life Free of Violence!

Follow the campaign on Facebook and YouTube

The Ministry of Interior has created a Living Life Free of Violence campaign page on Facebook. By following the link above you can read the latest news, announcements of events, see photo galleries and listen to the statements of public figures engaged in the campaign. Also, you can follow the campaign on the official channel of the Ministry of Interior on YouTube and watch "Living Life Free of Violence" videos. Many public figures took part in "Living Life Free of Violence" videos, such as Ivo Josipović, president of the Republic of Croatia, Croatian Interior Minister Tomislav Karamarko, world's best athlete in 2010 Blanka Vlasic, the first Croatian UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and musician Zlatan Stipisic Gibonni, coach of the Croatian national football team Slaven Bilic, the most popular Croatian handball goalkeeper Vlado Sola, Croatian handball player and coach Slavko Goluža, singer and TV presenter Sanja Dolezal, young singing stars Zoran Misic and Vilibald Kovač, actor Ljubomir Kerekes, theater, television and film actor Vid Balog, journalist Silvio Stilinović, athlete Branko Zorko, actress Sandra Loncaric Tankosic, European champion in bodybuilding Antonio Furic, former Croatian waterpolo player and current coach of waterpolo club South Elvis Fatovic, klapa singer Tomislav Bralić, current European champion in taekwondo Sandra Saric, as well as many others.

Ivo Josipović, president of the Republic of Croatia

Croatian Interior Minister Tomislav Karamarko

Croatian pop singer Oliver Dragojević