Author: Dallandyshe Xhaferri
From domestic violence to the phenomenon of bullying on social networks, the State Police has recorded alarming figures. Over the years, protection orders have shown a variable trend, with an increase in 2021 during the pandemic period, to end with a decrease in 2022-2023. Men appear as victims of violence in significant numbers, 1994 cases from January 2021 to December 2023. The figures show a concentration of physical and psychological violence in all age groups of society.
Physical and psychological violence is present in the life of every age group in Albania, starting from minor age groups and ending with violence against adults in the family environment or outside the doors of the house.
Violence remains an open wound in society. The protection orders issued by the State Police over the years and the cases referred for help by the victims and perpetrators to the country's non-profit organizations do not leave much room for comments.
In the span of almost three years (January 1, 2021- October 31, 2023), the number of male victims of violence, who have turned to state institutions for help, is 1994.
During the pandemic year 2021, according to the official data that the State Police made available to "Sinjalizo", 3221 protection orders were granted across the country, 790 of which were requested by men and 135 were granted to minors. The total number of protection orders during 2022 and 2023 has decreased, 2935 cases across the country. Of these 730 cases are men, while 26 of them have sought help from local institutions as victims of sexual crime.
During the period January 1-October 31, 2023, a total of 1849 orders for protection from the abuser were issued, of which 474 physically abused are men, while 10 of them were victims of sexual abuse.
Boys seek help more than girls
Although the official data shows that the number of boys and men who turn to state institutions for help is quite low compared to that of girls and women, it turns out that near non-profit organizations the number of minor men who ask for help is higher than that of girls and women.
Belioza Coku, executive director of "ALO 116", a national children's counseling line, tells "Sinjalizo" that during the period 2009-2023, boys account for the highest number of calls seeking help to this organization. Specifically, boys account for 57.3% of phone calls where they reported violence, bullying, threats on social networks, while 21% of minor girls addressed the national counseling line.
According to the data available to "Sinjalizo" from "ALO 116", there are 739 boys who have referred to the counseling line the problems with abuse and violence in schools. For internet safety, there are 580 reported cases, while for discrimination, about 30 reports were made by men and 27 by girls.
The highest numbers reported to the counseling line are related to gambling addiction, drug addiction and tobacco addiction (1251 cases). In total, the number of calls reported to "ALO 116" were made by callers from the country's big cities.
"Over the last 6 years (2018-2023), the Tirana region has over three times (8471) more calls than the Durrës and Fier regions, which rank second and third in terms of the highest number of calls with 2728 and 2642 of these," says Coku.
According to her, the reports received mainly from big cities are closely related to informing children about the activity of this advisory line. Also, according to the reported cases, bullying and other forms of violence against children are more present in the country's big cities.
" It is worth noting that for 154,164 calls, information on residence is missing," says Coku.
Metamorphosis: from abused to abuser
Fatjon Taipi, coordinator of the "Boys and Men's Office" (ZBD) in Shkodër that offers Services related to the treatment of domestic violence, not only for the abused but also for the abuser, tells "Sinjalizo" that while working with the male abuser it turns out that they have been raped before.
"Part of the program is focused on exploring the life of the abuser and in many cases they reveal that they have been victims of domestic violence by their fathers. We want to raise awareness about the consequences of domestic violence and in no way justify abusers by saying that I was a victim and now I have to react," says Taipi, adding that there has been no shortage of responses from abusers when they claim to have used violence against a woman or partner after being previously raped by them.
In the Office for Boys and Men (ZDB) during 2023, 46 boys with aggressive behavior referred by educational institutions and social Services, as well as 88 violent men, attended the counseling program. The office has 3 counselors for adults and 2 counselors for minors, while the number of referrals from the Court has increased after 2021. With the changes made, the law forces the offender to attend rehabilitation programs.
Fatjon Taipi says for "Sinjalizo" that the largest number of violators who have turned to the ZDB come from urban peripheral areas, where populations originating from deep mountain villages have settled. However, abusers cannot be related to background or social status.
"Violence has no origin, they are violence because patriarchal tradition has taught them to be violent in resolving conflicts," says Taipi.
In addition to the gender stereotypes that describe the man as "dominant" over his partner, in big cities the "change" of the roles of the ex-abuser turned into the abused is being noticed.
"When it comes to violence against men by women, it seems as if the 'social shock' is becoming greater, because the phenomenon was almost non-existent in the past," sociologist Gëzim Tushi tells "Sinjalizo", according to whom in metropolitan areas, in big cities, there is the greatest possibility of encountering violence of any form against men, unlike rural areas, villages, where masculinization continues to remain more pronounced.
"However, our society is now on the path of enabling the wider spread of pathologies that initially appear as phenomena of urban life and then take on the expanded character of a social phenomenon," says Gëzim Tushi, according to whom it is necessary to overcome the "social shame" for reporting violence that can be inflicted on men, preventing it from degrading to high levels of crime or even suicide.
In the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2021-2023, one of the objectives aimed at being achieved in the next 6 years is related to better protection from perpetrators of violence against women, girls, and men.
"Better protection of women, men, young women, young men, girls and boys from all groups, from all forms of harmful practices, sexism, gender-based violence and domestic violence, through improving legislation, its effective implementation, providing specialized support Services for abused persons, punishing perpetrators and putting rehabilitation programs into operation", - it is written in the national strategy, the implementation of which is estimated at 27,086,268 Euros but 15.6% of the budget is described as a "financial gap", while 33.9% of it is foreseen to be financed by donors.
"For the period 2021-2030, the state budget is expected to finance the implementation of the plan to the extent of 50.5% of the necessary funding, 33.9% is expected to be financed by other sources and donors, while 15.6% is a financial gap", - it is written in the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2021-2030.
Violence in Albania appears as a complex and profound challenge that requires joint commitment and concrete measures. The numbers and the stories of the abused and the abusers serve as an alarm bell to address the problems of this old social wound. While changing gender roles and stereotypes are evolving, the need for a continuous and holistic commitment is undeniable.
This article was created based on input provided by individuals who have chosen to speak up. Share your story, empower others and be an agent for change. Visit the website: www.acqj.al/sinjalizo-dhe-ti/
