Recognize violence. Seek support.

No one has the right to hurt, threaten, humiliate, or control you. Violence can occur within the family, in a relationship, after separation, at work, in public spaces, and online.

If you are in immediate danger, call 192 or 112.

Kosovo Women’s Network: 048 105 800

What is violence?

Violence includes any act that causes physical, sexual, psychological, or economic harm. It can be a single incident or a pattern of repeated behaviours. Not all forms of violence leave visible injuries, and you can seek help regardless.

What are the forms of violence?

Physical violence

Hitting, pushing, kicking, burning, strangling, using force to prevent you from leaving, or using objects to hurt you.

Psychological and emotional violence

Insults, humiliation, intimidation, threats against you or your loved ones, isolation from family and friends, and constant control over your life.

Sexual violence

Any sexual act without your freely given consent, including unwanted touching, pressure, and coercion. Being in a relationship or married does not imply consent. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.

Economic violence

Taking or controlling your income, preventing you from working, monitoring every expense, forcing you to take on debt, or restricting your access to money for basic needs.

Stalking and harassment

Following you, repeatedly showing up at your home or workplace, unwanted phone calls and messages, threats, or behaviours that make you feel unsafe.

Technology-facilitated violence

Controlling your phone and online accounts, tracking your location, making online threats, publishing your personal information and recording or sharing intimate images without consent- includes blackmailing and threatening to publish such images or creating manipulated intimate images.

Is this happening to you?

• Are you afraid of how your partner’s or another person’s reactions?
• Do you have to ask for permission to go out, work or meet people?
• Does someone control your phone, money or location?
• Does someone threaten or humiliate you or force you to do things you do not want to do?
• Does someone threaten you by using your children against you or by threatening to share your intimate images?

These may be signs of violence. You can seek support even if you are unsure how to describe or define what you are experiencing.

What can you do?

If you are in immediate danger

Call 192 or 112.

If you can do so without increasing the danger, move to a safer place.

Share your location and inform the authorities if there are injuries, children, or weapons involved.

If you need information or support

Contact the Victim Protection Helpline or the Agency for Free Legal Aid at 0800 11 777. Ask about the protection, shelter, and support options available for your situation.

If you have been injured or have experienced sexual violence

Seek medical assistance as soon as possible. You can seek help even if you have no visible injuries, have showered, or have changed your clothes.

Plan for your safety according to your circumstances

If it is safe for you to do so:

• Identify a trusted person and a place where you can go.
• Agree on a word or signal that indicates you need help.
• Plan ahead a safe way to leave and consider your transportation options.
• Keep your documents, medication, keys, and essential belongings accessible, but only if doing so does not expose you to further danger.
• If you have children, plan for their safety without asking them to physically intervene.
• Seek professional assistance to develop a safety plan tailored to your circumstances.

Phone and internet safety

If you suspect that your phone is being monitored, use a safer device to seek help, if possible.

Browsing history, calls, and downloads can leave traces. Private browsing does not guarantee that your online activity cannot be monitored.

Changing passwords, disabling location services, or blocking the person may alert them. Plan these steps with your safety as the main priority.

Preserving evidence

If you can do so without putting yourself in danger, save messages, threats, dates, and other information related to the violence you’ve experienced. Seek advice on how to store this information safely.

Do not put yourself at risk to collect evidence. Do not share intimate images further.

Where can you seek support?

• Police: Reporting and intervention in situations of danger. | 192
• Victim Advocates: Information and support regarding your rights and relevant procedures. | 0800 11 112
• Agency for Free Legal Aid: Legal advice and assistance. | 0800 11 777
• Centre for Social Work: Assessment of social needs and coordination of support, including child protection.
• Shelters and support organisations: Information about shelter and services, depending on your needs and availability.
• Healthcare institutions: Care for injuries and other health needs.
• Kosovo Women’s Network: Free legal assistance. | 048 105 800

If someone tells you they are experiencing violence

Listen to them without judging. Let them know: “It is not your fault. What can I do to help you?”

Do not blame them for staying in the relationship or pressure them into making decisions. Do not confront the person perpetrating the violence especially if this could potentially increase the danger. Help them contact support services using a safe device.

You do not have to face this alone. Support begins with one step that is safe for you.

In Kosovo, the Kosovo Women’s Network, through its free legal assistance service, provides support to women experiencing violence. If you or someone you know in Kosovo is experiencing any form of violence, you can contact us at 048 105 800.