Literature Review of Domestic Violence: Insights from the Republic of Kosovo

• In Event: Poster Session 2

Abstract

Domestic violence continues to be a prevalent issue in the world. However, most of the research that explores and informs the global efforts to eradicate domestic violence is anchored in Western countries. Research on domestic violence, women’s help-seeking behavior, and legal response to domestic violence in Kosovo is scarce. Kosovo is harmonizing its legislation and policies with international standards and conventions to fight gender-based violence; criminalization of domestic violence is considered a vital approach to seek redress and justice for the victims of domestic violence, deter potential perpetrators of domestic violence, and fight the patriarchy, misogyny, and homophobia embedded in family honor. Nevertheless, criminalization exacerbates stressors of economic and public health nature, correlated with domestic violence
Therefore, this integrative review aims to expand the conversation about the criminalization of domestic violence in Kosovo beyond its punitive approach toward the perpetrators and to provide physical safety for the victims by assessing, critiquing, and synthesizing the limited literature on domestic violence in a way that enables new theoretical frameworks and perspectives to emerge.

Author

• Teuta Peja, University of Illinois Chicago