Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.3935/zpfz.75.2.3
Opinions and Guidelines by Competent Professionals in Regards to the Problem of the Dark Figure of Violence
Ruža Karlović
orcid.org/0000-0002-6810-0062
; Veleučilište kriminalistike i javne sigurnosti, Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova Republike Hrvatske, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sažetak
The research aimed to gain insights into the context of the "dark figure" of violence through the experiences of competent professionals. The primary research problem focused on understanding the reasons for not reporting instances of violence. To address this issue, specific research questions were formulated within the research protocol.
Qualitative research was conducted using semi-structured interviews with professionals from four relevant sectors: health, education, social welfare, and security/judicial, in the cities of Zagreb and Osijek. The results revealed that professionals are particularly sensitive to visible and severe physical violence that is commonly reported. In contrast, other forms of violence—such as physical harm and the impaired health of victims—remain largely unreported, contributing to the "dark figure" of violence.
Domestic violence emerged as a significant topic during the interviews due to its profound implications for both individuals and society as a whole. While statistics indicate that men are predominantly identified as perpetrators of violence, the participants also highlighted the concerning issue of men and the elderly being victims of domestic violence.
Across all professions, respondents identified several common reasons for not reporting incidents of violence: fear of the perpetrators, victim labelling, insufficient knowledge about the reporting process, slow data exchange, and concerns over confidentiality.
In conclusion, the paper outlines specific solutions and recommendations that professionals, based on their experiences, suggest in order to enhance the process of reporting violence.
Ključne riječi
violence; reporting of violence; domestic violence; dark figure
Hrčak ID:
336836
URI
Datum izdavanja:
20.10.2025.
Posjeta: 577 *