Abuse of old people[i]  has only recently been recognised as a global problem. The INPEA work with propaganda/sensitisation and the importance accorded by the World Health Organisation to  prevention of abuse on old people  have contributed significantly in raising awareness world-wide.  The academic institutions all over the world have substantially contributed to improving understanding and awareness of the problem and have increased knowledge of it developing methodological instruments for its study. Inspite of all this, there is still a lot to be done*. Read more »

 The term stalking has only recently been introduced in criminology and is intended as a series of reiterated, intrusive and molest behaviours which occur in a conflictual relationship, or, more frequently, that are perpetrated by an ex consort/partner as a result of a divorce or separation[i].

It indicates a proper form of persecution which extends itself in time with the aim of making its victim feel constantly controlled and persistently in peril. Read more »

The first SOS telephone line in Croatia for victims of domestic violence against women and children was created in 1990 in Zagreb where, later in June, 1992, the first home-shelter for victims of domestic violence was opened. In 1996,  many people sensitive to this problem which, until then had never been faced seriously, started to meet and study it together, discussing way to resolve it or at least give it new dimensions. In fact, it is no longer possible to restrict ourselves to police intervention which, when called in to calm down serious arguing, tried to calm the husband and advised the wife to be more tolerant, otherwise both  would have been denounced for disturbing the public peace. [i] Read more »

Introduction 

Elder abuse is a problem of which many people are unaware and that is associated with a taboo. It is ‘hidden’ behind closed doors, carried out by people very close to the older people themselves – their partners, children (or foster children), neighbours, friends or even professionals. Older people are beaten, denied food and bathing, their accounts are looted or they are pressured to change their wills. Violence against older people is a form of domestic violence, but it is very difficult to detect. Older people are even less willing to report abuse or press charges. Addressing the problem of elder abuse is a high priority In Rotterdam. Read more »

In Italy, between 2006 and 2009, the number of women killed at the hands of men amounted  to 439. In the majority of the cases the guilty were members of the family: husbands (36% of the cases), partners (18%), relatives (13%) or ex-husbands, partners and so on (9%). Read more »