Domestic Violence, Institutional Response and challenges in Addressing Domestic Violence in Albania

Abstract

Domestic violence in Albania continuous to be a concerned issue. Although new civil and criminal legislation legislation is approved aiming to make the law in compliance with international standards, the facts and figures have an increasing trend. The non effectiveness in the enforcement of the civil and criminal legislation is analysed in relation to the responsibilities of the responsible authorities and the role of community in Albania in addressing this problem. The aim of this article is to identify the gaps in the fulfilment of responsibilities by actors and mentality which effects the reaction of community and to recommend interventions aiming to improve the situation of women and children as the members of the family who are mostly faced with violence in family relations. The positive steps undertaken in addressing domestic violence are also analysed in this article. Having the possibility to work and support the victims of domestic violence, the author has used her everyday experience giving the problems through real stories. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n1s1p450