Peer Violence Requires an Urgent and Coordinated Response

Findings from public opinion research, as well as specific, disturbing cases of peer violence, are a call to action and to an urgent shift in the current approach - one that includes a clear strategy and coordinated action among various institutions, the civil sector, parents, and young people. The way we treat young people today determines the kind of society we will have tomorrow; if we fail to provide them with a safe environment, clear values, and functional institutions, we risk perpetuating new cycles of violence and mistrust. These were some of the messages delivered at the opening of the final conference within the project “SRCE: Supporting the Empowerment and Resilience of Young People Today”, implemented by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE) in partnership with the Regional Academy for Democratic Development (ADD), with the support of the Delegation of the EU to Montenegro and co-financing from the Ministry of Public Administration.

“Society often forgets that a child must be protected, yet today, they are exposed to a wide range of forms of violence on a daily basis. This is not only our challenge, but one faced by the modern world as a whole,” said Minister of Justice Bojan Božović, recalling the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, which emphasises the importance of protecting children’s rights.

“On 12 March, the Government adopted the Proposal for a Law on Amendments to the Law on the Treatment of Juveniles in Criminal Proceedings, aligning our legislation with EU directives and international law. This strengthens procedural safeguards for minors, including the obligation to consider the child’s best interests and to protect their dignity and integrity. However, I must stress that once we reach the stage of applying criminal provisions, we are already too late. That is why prevention is of crucial importance, in order to reduce the number of cases that require prosecution to a minimum,” Božović stated.

“It is extremely important not to remain silent about violence, especially in the school environment,” emphasised Tatjana Ćalasan, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation. She noted that the institution is involved in numerous projects and initiatives with international and non-governmental organisations, and that continuous efforts are being made to strengthen the protection of pupils and staff, as well as to improve conditions for quality education.

“Our work focuses on the safety of pupils and staff, the quality of education, and broad inclusion. We strive to ensure that every response is non-judgemental, above all calm, and directed towards protection and support for those who need it most,” she added, underscoring the importance of joint efforts by all stakeholders – the Government, schools, parents, pupils, professional services, local communities, and international partners.

Liselotte Isaksson, Deputy Head of Cooperation Section at the Delegation of the EU to Montenegro, stressed that young people are the future of society and that it is the responsibility of adults to support them in preparing for future roles, both in favourable and challenging circumstances. She recalled that the EU has supported numerous youth-focused projects.

“I am pleased that the EU has supported the ‘SRCE’ project, which applies a multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary approach, as the issue of juvenile delinquency and peer violence cannot be addressed by a single institution, but requires the engagement of various stakeholders,” she said, highlighting the importance of a system focused on resocialisation and education, rather than repression.

“The further development of the juvenile justice system should be directed towards functional and specialised institutions, continuous training of professional staff, the development and wider use of alternative sanctions, and the involvement of local services and the NGO sector. The prison system should be used as a last resort, with the provision of separate facilities for juveniles,” Isaksson explained.

She also emphasised that young people are high on the European Commission’s agenda through an approach based on inclusion, empowerment, and connection.

“Peer violence and juvenile delinquency are not isolated incidents – they reflect the broader social context in which young people grow up and which shapes them. Unfortunately, that context is becoming increasingly challenging. We are witnessing a relativisation of values, attempts to distort them, slow and inconsistent institutional responses, and the shifting of responsibility. That is why these phenomena require a systemic and coordinated response,” said Daliborka Uljarević, Executive Director of the CCE.

She referred to CCE research indicating that 65.7% of the general population believes peer violence is present, while 44.2% know a victim. Among secondary school pupils, 89% recognise violence to some extent in their environment, 21.6% are personal victims, and 53.4% know someone who has been a victim. Regarding juvenile delinquency, 55.7% of adults perceive it as present, while every fourth respondent knows a minor in conflict with the law.

“It is clear that no single institution can solve these problems alone. Continuous cooperation between education, the judiciary, the police, social services, the media, and civil society is essential. It is equally important that public discourse does not normalise violence, but instead fosters a culture of responsibility, empathy, and mutual respect – with political structures also playing a significant role,” Uljarević concluded.