Scope, forms, characteristics and new patterns of victimisation in Serbia during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This paper aims to analyse the scope, forms, characteristics and new patterns of victimisation in Serbia during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as factors that influenced it. In this paper, the notions of victim and victimisation are used in their largest sense, so that the paper deals with a large scope of victimising events and victims - from (direct and indirect) victimisation by virus COVID-19 and the inadequate reaction of the state, to the criminal victimisation and violation/restrictions of human rights. The particularly difficult situation of, in a socio-economic sense, especially vulnerable groups, such as migrants and asylum seekers, street children, Roma, homeless, older people, single parents, persons located in closed institutions (prisons and social welfare institutions), and victims of violence (in family and during civil protests against state?s response to the pandemic) is stressed. After the introduction, the overview of the development of pandemic in Serbia during 2020 and the measures taken for its suppression is given. After that, the scope, forms and trends of victimisation are analysed based on police statistics and other available data. Finally, characteristics and new patterns of victimisation that appeared in the conditions of the pandemic are analysed. In the conclusion, the main factors of victimisation during the pandemic are outlined. Special emphasis is put on the lack of adequate databases relevant for appropriate response both to COVID-19 and crime, as well as on shortcomings of state response to the pandemic. The paper ends with recommendations for state actions relevant for victims in conditions of pandemic and similar crisis situations.