Safe House for Women and Children Victims of Domestic Violence in Banja Luka was founded on the initiative of the Foundation “United Women” Banja Luka, and was opened on 12 February 2007. The Safe House meets all the conditions regulated by the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence of Republika Srpska, and accompanying bylaws related to its work.
Procedure of sheltering women and children victims of violence in the Safe House is regulated by the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence of Republika Srpska.
According to the Article 15 of the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence of Republika Srpska (Official Gazette of RS, no. 102/12) authorized center for social work, or service of social protection can, with the assistance of police, and with previous consent of a victim of domestic violence, issue decision on temporary shelter of a victim in the Safe House, with objective of securing rights and interests of a victim.
Victim of violence has legal right to initiate and submit personal request for sheltering to the Safe House.
Article 5 of the Law on Changes and Amendments of the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence of Republika Srpska (Official Gazette RS, no. 108/13) regulates that a victim of domestic violence can submit personal request for using special supporting measure – temporary shelter to the Safe House, due to suffered violence, fear and anxiety, in order to ensure physical protection and implement her rights and interests, as well as to prevent repetition of violence. A woman victim/survivor of domestic violence can submit this request to the authorized center for social work, or social protection service.
- Safe House represents special measure of support through which victims of domestic violence have access to safe accommodation and assistance. Safe House can be run by the legal entity.
- For the purpose of protection and ensuring safety of a victim, police will accompany here to a house, apartment or other housing facility, to enable a victim to take personal belongings (necessities needed to satisfy daily needs) for her and for other persons that left that premises together with her.
Measure of sheltering in the Safe House can be determined to be implemented in a period needed to reach the purpose of the measure, and no more than six (6) months. In justified cases, duration of this measure can be extended for another six (6) months, or until ending the procedure and implementing decision on protection measure issued against an abuser.
Friends of the Safe House for Women and Children Victims of Violence Banja Luka
