OHCHR Thematic Analitical Study on the Issue of Violence against Women and Girls and
Disability - SLOVENIA
Data / Statistic
1. Have studies/researches been conducted on the prevalence, nature, causes and
impact of violence against women and girls with disabilities in different settings
(family/home, workplace, medical institutions, schools etc.). What forms of
disability and violence do they cover?
The following studies and research on the theme of violence against persons with disabilities
have been carried out recently in Slovenia:
Nasilje nad invalidnimi osebami, v zasebni sferi in / ali v partnerskih odnosih (Violence against
Persons with Disabilities in the Private Sphere and/or Partnerships), Ljubljana, Government of
the Republic of Slovenia, Office for Equal Opportunities, 2008.
 Type of disability: persons with disabilities include those with long-term physical,
mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments;
 Type of violence: negligence, physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse,
financial or material abuse.
KRALJ, Julijana, ed., et al. Nasilje v družini in okolju, Za lepše in prijaznejše življenje s
paraplegijo in tetraplegijo (Violence in the Family and Environment, For a Better and Friendlier
Life with Paraplegia and Tetraplegia), Ljubljana, Paraplegics Association of Slovenia, 1998.
 Type of disability: movement impairment due to paraplegia and tetraplegia;
 Type of violence: open-ended question; the answers included different types of
abuse.
KRALJ, Julijana. Raziskava nasilja nad gibalno oviranimi ženskami (Research Study of
Violence against Women with Movement Impairment), Association of Physically Disabled of
Slovenia VIZIJA, Slovenske Konjice, 2008.
 First research 2000–2006:
o Type of disability: movement impairment;
o Type of violence: emotional abuse, verbal violence, negligence and oppression,
financial and property abuse.
 Second research 2007–2008:
o Type of disability: movement impairment;
o Type of violence: combined question; the answers included various forms of
psychological, physical, and sexual violence, property and other forms or
abuse, and negligence.
Regarding the effects of discrimination on the social and political inclusion of young persons in
Slovenia: Analysis by sex, sexual orientation and ethnicity (final report). The target research
project within the “Competitiveness of Slovenia 2006–2013” programme, University of Ljubljana,
Faculty for Social Sciences.
 Type of disability: persons with disabilities include those with long-term physical,
mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments;
 Type of violence: open-ended question; the answers included various types of
psychological and physical violence.
KUZMANIČ KORVA, Darja (contribution published on the Internet 1). Nasilje se najpogosteje
dogaja doma (Violence most Frequently Occurs at Home), Paraplegics Association of Slovenia.
1
Available at:
http://www.google.si/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=nasilje%20se%20najpogosteje%20dogaja%20doma&source=we
b&cd=2&ved=0CB4QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zveza-


Type of disability: persons with disabilities (recipients of the domestic help service)
in Slovenia;
Type of violence: not specified.
ŠIRNIK, Tina. Nasilje nad ljudmi z invalidnostjo (Violence against People with Disabilities):
graduation thesis, Ljubljana, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Work, 2003.
KNEZ, Marija. Nasilja v slovenskih šolah (Violence in Slovenian Schools): graduation thesis,
Ljubljana, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Administration, 2005.
MOČNIK, Mateja. Varnost v socialnih in posebnih (socialnopsihiatričnih) zavodih (Safety in
Social and Sociopsychiatric Institutions): graduation thesis, Maribor, University of Maribor,
Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security, 2008.
KOS, Tina. Nasilje v družinski vzgoji in vedenju učencev do vrstnikov v osnovni šoli s
prilagojenim programom (Violence in Domestic Upbringing and Behaviour of Pupils towards
their Peers in Elementary Schools with Adapted Curriculum): Master's thesis, Ljubljana,
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Education, 2010.
2. Please provide the available data on the number of women and girls with
disabilities who have accessed services and programmes to prevent and address
violence in the past years? Is this information disaggregated by disability, as well
as by sex, socio economic and ethnic background?
Various social welfare programmes intended for persons who have experienced violence are
carried out in Slovenia. Data on the number of persons with disabilities participating in these
programmes have not been systematically collected. According to the data of the Association of
the Physically Disabled of Slovenia VIZIJA2, four persons with disabilities sought help in safe
houses and shelters in the period between 2008 and 2011.
Information on various kinds of social welfare programmes intended for persons who have
experienced violence is presented below. Unfortunately, data on the type of disability, age,
socioeconomic status, and ethnicity is not available.
1. Programmes of maternity homes and women's shelters
The target group of maternity homes and women's shelters primarily consists of the following:
 women and children experiencing various types of violence who need a safe haven;
 victims of domestic violence, victims of violence in partnership and kinship relations,
and victims of violence in general;
 mothers and their children experiencing violence, women due to give birth, and
pregnant women who must retreat from their domestic situation for various reasons
or are socially or financially at risk;
 family members of women experiencing violence;
 neighbours and other persons seeking information and help in the event of
violence;
 women using illegal drugs and victims of violence and abuse in grave social and
economic distress.
Table 1: The number of programmes and users of safe houses and maternity homes in 2010
Programmes
Number
programmes
of
Number of users
paraplegikov.si%2Futil%2Fmma_bin.php%3Fid%3D2006010716193208&ei=YjypTo5Rp4fiBPXIuP4P&usg
=AFQjCNEuSbrIaNrdPFHOYXxZXab9r8Ntuw&cad=rja (26 October 2011).
2
Letter of the Association of Physically Disabled of Slovenia VIZIJA from 25 October 2011.
2
Safe houses, refuges, shelters and the crisis
centre
Maternity homes
16
497
6
349
Source: SMOLEJ, S. et al. Spremljanje izvajanja programov socialnega varstva: poročilo o
izvajanju programov v letu 2010: končno poročilo (Monitoring of Implementation of Social
Assistance Programmes: Report on the Implementation of Programmes in 2010: Final Report),
Ljubljana, Social Protection Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, 2011.
2. Psychosocial help programmes for victims of violence
The target group of the psychosocial help programmes for victims of violence primarily consists
of the following:
 women experiencing various forms of violence in domestic, partnership, kinship,
and other interpersonal relations;
 children, young persons, and persons experiencing violence in the family, at school
and in their immediate environment;
 persons with mental health problems, addiction problems, and lower socioeconomic
status (often in combination with various forms violence in various relationships).
Table 2: The number of psychosocial help programmes for victims of violence and users thereof
in 2010
Number
programmes
5
5
Programmes
Help and self-help groups and programmes
Psychosocial help programmes and counselling
of
Number of users
281
4 671
Source: SMOLEJ, S. et al. Spremljanje izvajanja programov socialnega varstva: poročilo o
izvajanju programov v letu 2010: končno poročilo (Monitoring of Implementation of Social
Assistance Programmes: Report on the Implementation of Programmes in 2010: Final Report),
Ljubljana, Social Protection Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, 2011.
3. Programmes for psychosocial counselling by telephone for children, young persons, and
other persons in personal distress
The target group of programmes for psychosocial counselling by telephone for children, young
persons, and other persons in personal distress consists of the following:
 persons from throughout Slovenia, regardless of age, who are facing various problems
(loneliness, mental health problems, emotional problems and the challenges that come
with adolescence);
 persons with disabilities and their relatives;
 victims of various forms of violence;
 addicts;
 poor and homeless persons;
 women in various forms of distress during pregnancy or post-partum and their partners,
children, and relatives;
 medical and other professionals.
Table 3: The number of programmes and users of psychosocial counselling by telephone in
2010
Number
programmes
Programmes
Counselling
programmes
telephones
7
of
Number
calls
of
telephone
72 823
Source: SMOLEJ, S. et al. Spremljanje izvajanja programov socialnega varstva: poročilo o
izvajanju programov v letu 2010: končno poročilo (Monitoring of Implementation of Social
3
Assistance Programmes: Report on the Implementation of Programmes in 2010: Final Report),
Ljubljana, Social Protection Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, 2011.
4. Specialised therapeutic psychosocial help programmes
The target group of the specialised therapeutic psychosocial help programmes consists
primarily of the following:
 individuals, couples and families in acute or long-term psychosocial distress who
require, want, and are capable of accepting the more profound and structured help
offered by therapy but cannot afford to pay for it due to financial problems.
Table 4 only presents psychosocial programmes intended for users who have experienced
various forms of violence (physical, emotional, and sexual).
Table 4: The number of programmes and users of specialised therapeutic psychosocial help
programmes for victims of violence in 2010
Programmes
Number
programmes
Therapeutic psychosocial help programmes of for
victims of violence
5
of
Number of users
1 571
Source: SMOLEJ, S. et al. Spremljanje izvajanja programov socialnega varstva: poročilo o
izvajanju programov v letu 2010: končno poročilo (Monitoring of Implementation of Social
Assistance Programmes: Report on the Implementation of Programmes in 2010: Final Report),
Ljubljana, Social Protection Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, 2011.
3. Please provide available data on the number of households in which persons
with disabilities reside. How many of these are women-headed households?
In Slovenia, data on households or families of persons with disabilities are not collected
separately, and the census data do not include information on the disabilities of individual
persons. This information could be included in certain research.
In 2002, research on the social support networks of the Slovenian population (Ferligoj et al.
2002 3) was carried out on a representative sample of Slovenian inhabitants.
The research found that approximately 10% of the Slovenian population has trouble with
movement in everyday life. Of this number, 42% are male, while 58% are female, thus the
share of women with such difficulties is 16% higher than of men.
Data on the number of persons with movement impairment who live in different types of families
is presented below.
Table 5: The number of persons with movement impairment who lived in different types of
families in 2002
One person household
Number
108
Percentage
21.73
Couple
114
22.94
Family of orientation
21
4.23
Family of procreation
150
30.18
Single-parent family
24
4.83
3
FERLIGOJ et al. Omrežja socialne opore prebivalcev Slovenije (Social Support Networks of the Slovenian
Population), Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Sciences, Social Protection Institute of the Republic of Slovenia,
2002.
4
Extended family
70
14.08
Other
10
2.01
Total
497
100
Source: FERLIGOJ et al. Omrežja socialne opore prebivalcev Slovenije (Social Support
Networks of the Slovenian Population), Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Sciences, Social Protection
Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, 2002.
Table 6: The number of persons with impaired movement who lived in different types of families
(by sex) in 2002
Men
Women
One person household
Number
27
Percentage
25.00
Number
81
Percentage
75.00
Couple
48
42.11
66
57.89
Family of orientation
13
61.90
8
38.10
Family of procreation
84
56.00
66
44.00
Single-parent family
1
4.17
23
95.83
Extended family
31
44.29
39
55.71
Other
6
60.00
4
40.00
Total
210
42.25
287
57.75
Source: FERLIGOJ et al. Omrežja socialne opore prebivalcev Slovenije (Social Support
Networks of the Slovenian Population), Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Sciences, Social Protection
Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, 2002.
Data on the number of households with persons with disabilities which are run by women is not
available.
4. Please provide statistics, information or studies on disability/ies resulting from
violence against women and girls.
According to the research of the Office for Equal Opportunities on violence against persons with
disabilities in the private sphere and/or partnership relations, such violence is still very much
hidden in our country since it occurs behind closed doors and often remains undetected even by
associations of persons with disabilities whose members are victims of violence. Women with
disabilities are more often victims of violence than men with disabilities. The most frequent
forms of violence against these women are physical, psychological, or emotional abuse, while
men with disabilities are mainly subjected to negligence. Women with disabilities are most
frequently victims of negligence and physical, psychological, or emotional abuse by their
partners and of financial abuse by their children. Results are similar for men with disabilities.
They too are most frequently victims of negligence and psychological or emotional abuse by
their partners and of physical and financial abuse by their children. Among the most frequent
reasons for violence against women and men with disabilities are the helplessness of these
persons due to their disabilities, their low awareness, and their dependence on other persons.
However, there are some additional reasons which apply only to women with disabilities, and
not men, namely discrimination and unequal treatment by both sexes, low awareness and their
"weakness". This confirms that women with disabilities, besides having to face barriers due to
their disability, are also subject to sexual discrimination.
5
Legislation and Policies
1. Is there a legal framework addressing violence against women and girls with
disability in different contexts (within the family, in the community and in the
workplace, and in State and non-State institutions such as medical, education
and other services providing institutions)?
Slovenia has no specific legislation regulating violence against women and girls with disabilities,
but it undertakes to respect the prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of disability in all
areas of human life.
The right of persons with disabilities to equal opportunities and treatment, the right to equal
inclusion in the life of the community, the right to choose, etc., are determined by numerous
documents on the international and national level. The laws, provisions and regulations in these
documents require the elimination of any form of discrimination and determine the need to
remove various barriers and limitations in the environment of persons with disabilities, the need
for support which should ensure them an independent life, and the need for their equal inclusion
in society.
The basic rights to equal opportunities derive from Article 14 of the Constitution of the Republic
of Slovenia 4 which states that "in Slovenia everyone shall be guaranteed equal human rights
and fundamental freedoms irrespective of national origin, race, sex, language, religion, political
or other conviction, material standing, birth, education, social status, disability or any other
personal circumstance." Disability has been included amongst the personal circumstances
determined in the Constitution since 2004. The Constitution thereby explicitly emphasises the
right to equality of persons with disabilities before the law and forbids any discrimination on
grounds of disability.
The prohibition of discrimination on grounds of disability is included in the provisions of the
Implementation of the Principle of Equal Treatment Act 5, Employment Relationships Act 6,
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities Act 7, Family Violence
Act 8, and Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act, 9 which was adopted
by the National Assembly at the end of November 2010 and represents the basic law in the field
of the prevention of discrimination against persons with disabilities in Slovenia.
Slovenia has ratified the most important documents in the field of human rights, some of which
also pertain to ensuring rights to persons with disabilities, e.g. the European Convention on
Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 10, European Social Charter 11, United Nations
Standard Rules on the Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, etc. In April
2008, the National Assembly adopted the Act Ratifying the Convention on the Rights of persons
with Disabilities 12, which is the first legally binding document of the United Nations in the field of
the human rights of persons with disabilities 13. In September 2011, Slovenia also signed the
Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and
4
OG RS No. 33I/1991-I, amendments: 42/1997, 66/2000, 24/2003, 69/2004, 69/2004, 69/2004,
68/2006.
5
OG RS No. 93/2007.
6
OG RS No. 42/2002, amendments: 79/2006-ZZZPB-F, 46/2007 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-45/07, Up-249/0622, 103/2007, 45/2008-ZArbit, 83/2009 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-284/06-26.
7
OG RS No. 63/2004, amendments: 72/2005, 100/2005-UPB1, 114/2006, 16/2007-UPB2, 14/2009
Const. Court Dec.: U-I-36/06-18.
8
OG RS No. 16/2008.
9
OG RS No. 94/2010.
10
OG RS -MP, 7-41/1994.
11
OG RS No. 24/1999.
12
OG RS No. 37/08.
13 National Guidelines to Improve Built Environment, Information and Communications
Accessibility for People with Disabilities, OG RS No. 113/2005.
6
Domestic Violence, which is the first international legal instrument that comprehensively
stipulates the obligations of the signatories to prevent violence against women, including
domestic violence.
Since 1991, numerous regulations have been adopted in the fields of education, health care,
employment, removing barriers in the environment, and financial assistance. Various national
and developmental programmes in individual fields have been supplemented with solutions vital
to the lives of persons with disabilities 14.
One of the key documents in the field of ensuring equal opportunities is the Action Programme
for Persons with Disabilities 2007–2013 15.
2. Are practices such as 1) forced psychiatric intervention, 2) forced
institutionalization, 3) solitary confinement and restraint in institutions, 4) forced
drug and electroshock treatment, 5) forced abortion, 6) forced sterilization and 7)
harmful practices, prohibited by law?
Forced psychiatric intervention and forced institutionalisation
The Mental Health Act 16 (Articles 1 and 2) inter alia determines the procedures for
institutionalisation:
 for treatment in a ward under special supervision of a psychiatric hospital (i.e. a ward
for intensive treatment in a psychiatric hospital where a person can be restrained for
health reasons, or because they are endangering their own or other people's lives,
seriously endangering their own or other people's health, or causing substantial
pecuniary damage to themselves or other people);
 for treatment in a secure ward of a social welfare institution (i.e. a ward in a social
welfare institution where a person continuously receives special protection and may not
freely leave the institution).
A person can be referred to such a ward by a court decision as well, and without their consent 17
(Articles 38 and 39). The Mental Health Act precisely prescribes the procedures for
institutionalisation and intervention in such cases. A person has the right to a representative
who protects their rights, interest, and benefits.
Special methods of treatment
The Health Services Act 18 regulates actions and activities carried out by medical
professionals and associates while providing health care, preventing and diagnosing diseases,
and treating all patients and injured persons, as well as persons with disabilities, in accordance
with the medical doctrine and by using medical technology.
The Mental Health Act 19 (Articles 8 and 9) prescribes special methods of treatment to be
carried out only in exceptional circumstances, under precisely specified conditions and only in
psychiatric hospitals.
14
National Guidelines to Improve Built Environment, Information and Communications
Accessibility for People with Disabilities, OG RS No. 113/2005.
15 Available at:
http://www.mddsz.gov.si/fileadmin/mddsz.gov.si/pageuploads/dokumenti__pdf/api_07_13.pdf
(10 December 2010).
16
OG RS No. 77/2008.
17
OG RS No. 77/2008.
18
OG RS Nos. 9/92, 26/92 corr., 37/95, 8/96, 59/99, 90/99, 98/99, 31/00, 36/00, 45/01, 131/03, 135/03,
2/04, 36/04 - UPB1, 80/04, 23/05 - UPB2, 15/08 - ZPacP, 23/08, 58/08 - ZZdrS-E, 77/08 – ZDZdr).
19
OG RS No. 77/2008.
7
These special methods of treatment are the following:
 electroconvulsive therapy,
 hormone therapy,
 use of psychotropic drugs in dosages exceeding the highest prescribed dosage.
Medical treatment in Slovenia is carried out in accordance with methods approved by experts
and internationally recognised standards.
Psychosurgical treatment is not allowed in the Republic of Slovenia.
The usage of special treatment methods on the proposal of a psychiatrist is decided by the
medical council which is appointed by the director of the psychiatric hospital for a particular
case and comprises at least three psychiatrists, at least one of whom is employed outside the
psychiatric hospital where the patient is being treated and has never treated the patient in
question.
Special methods of treatment are used on the basis of the written consent of the person or
his/her guardian. Such can be used without the person's consent if ordered by the court or if the
person needs urgent medical care and cannot be treated otherwise. These methods are used
when no other efficient method of treatment providing suitable health care is available and when
this is necessary for the treatment of the person.
The person, their relatives, and those close to them, their representative, lawyer, or guardian
have the right to request administrative control of the implementation of the special method of
treatment.
Young persons may not be treated with these special methods.
Sterilisation and abortion
Freedom of choice in childbearing is regulated by the Health Measures in Exercising Freedom
of Choice in Childbearing Act 20. There are no special provisions for persons with disabilities.
Article 10 of the Mental Health Act 21 states that a psychological disorder by itself is not
justification for implementing the measure of sterilisation or induced termination of pregnancy.
3. What specific policies/programmes are in place to prevent and address violence
against women and girls with disabilities and/or to address harmful practices that
can result in disabilities? How do general policies and plans/programmes on
violence against women ensure the inclusion of and accessibility by women and
girls with disabilities?
The police do not implement any special programmes intended exclusively to prevent and
address violence against women and girls with disability. Pursuant to the Constitution of the
Republic of Slovenia, which prohibits any discrimination on the basis of personal circumstances,
as well as in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act and the Police Act, the police process
all victims of criminal offences irrespective of national origin, race, sex, language, religion,
political or other convictions, material standing, birth, education, social status or any other
personal circumstance. With the purpose to prevent any violence, including violence against
women and girls with disability, the Resolution on the 2007-2011 National Crime Prevention and
Suppression Programme was adopted in 2007, which also addresses problems, causes and
solutions regarding domestic violence. Furthermore, the Resolution on the 2009-2014 National
Programme on the Prevention of Family Violence and the Family Violence Prevention Act are
part of the same legal framework. Article 191 of the Penal Code defines the criminal offence of
Domestic Violence while the Police Act contains provisions on issuing a restraining order
prohibiting a person from approaching a particular location or person who is a victim of violence.
20
21
OG RS Nos. 11/77, 42/86, OG RS No. 13/93, 29/95, 70/00.
OG RS No. 77/2008.
8
4. How has the participation of women with disabilities in the development of such
laws, programmes /policies been ensured?
In the Republic of Slovenia, legislation is prepared in accordance with the principles of the open
method of coordination, whereby the competent ministry appoints a working group to prepare
the material. Representatives of the interested public are usually invited into this group. In the
case of legislation regulating persons with disabilities, these would be the representatives of the
National Council of Disabled People's Organisations of Slovenia, which voluntarily connects
representatives and other organisations of persons with disabilities working on the national
level. Representatives of organisations of persons with disabilities who are not part of the
Council are invited as well. A public hearing on the proposed legislation is conducted to allow
individuals and organisations to present comments and initiatives. The National Assembly also
provides its opinion regarding the legislation issues which is considered by interests groups
from particular fields.
Prevention and protection
1. What measures/initiatives are in place to combat negative perceptions,
stereotypes and prejudices of women and girls with disabilities in the public and
private spheres?
Slovenia has no specific legislation regulating violence against women and girls with disabilities,
but it undertakes to respect the prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of disability in all
areas of human life.
Association VIZIJA, which implements needed and special supplementary programmes for
persons with movement impairment in Slovenia, also carries out a special information and
publishing programme that includes periodical publication of the VIZIJA information newsletter
and brochures that present its work to the public on the national and local levels. The
programme provides persons with disabilities, their family members, and the general public with
access to information useful for living, greater awareness and monitoring of changes in the field
of legislation.
2. What initiatives exist to inform women and girls with disabilities about their
rights, including sexual and reproductive health issues? To what extent do these
initiatives address also women in institutions?
In Slovenia, responsibility for informing women and girls with disabilities of their rights lies with
the Ministry of Labour, Family, and Social Affairs, Government Office for Equal Opportunities,
Advocate of the Principle of Equal Treatment, Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of
Slovenia, organisations of persons with disabilities, humanitarian organisations, and other
associations.
Association VIZIJA carries out the following special programmes:
The HOUSE OF TRUST special social programme
Association VIZIJA's priority is ensuring the realisation of the rights of women experiencing
family violence. For this purpose, the association carries out the HOUSE OF TRUST special
social programme. With specific programme elements it deals with the issue of violence against
persons with movement impairment, provides temporary or transitional accommodation in its
own living quarters, organises transfers to other safe place at secret locations within the
framework of another non-government organisation, provides information on relevant
legislation, ensures conditions for the operation of self-help groups and weekend workshops to
9
enable the exchange of experiences, provides education on self-advocacy, and organises
discussion groups for raising awareness and prevention activities.
The INKO special psychosocial and sociomedical programme for women
This programme provides psychosocial and sociomedical assistance and support mainly to
women with severe incontinence and helps them buy the needed equipment for eliminating the
medical consequences of incontinence and prevent the emergence of skin ulcers in affected
areas.
A special programme for reducing social exclusion and promoting active ageing of
elderly persons with disabilities
The purpose of this programme is to help participants solve problems of social exclusion in
various areas of life and satisfy the needs of life that they cannot meet themselves and which
are not provided by the public sector on the individual level either. The programme also includes
work in the area of adapting the living and social environment where architectural and other
barriers prevent persons in wheelchairs and other functionally impaired persons from being
included in society.
A programme for ensuring health maintenance and preventative health care, and
orthopaedic equipment for persons with movement impairment
The programme provides support and assistance to participants regarding health maintenance,
reducing everyday stress and health risks, and educates them about medical self-help at home,
how to choose a healthy life style, and risk factors. It also helps them buy or rent the necessary
orthopaedic equipment.
A programme providing personal assistance and physical help to persons with
disabilities
The Association does not develop programmes to provide personal assistance at home but to
enable persons with disabilities who need personal assistance to participate in other
programmes of the Association. It also provides physical help to persons with disabilities who
carry out the programmes and activities of the Association.
A cultural and educational programme – lifelong learning for persons with disabilities
The programme is carried out in the form of training and creative workshops and discussion
groups while encouraging individual and group learning. It enables the organisation and viewing
of exhibitions, participation in other cultural events, and encourages participants to spread the
culture of reading amongst themselves and family members.
3. What programmes/initiatives have been developed to train women with
disabilities to develop skills and abilities for economic autonomy and
participation in society and to use technological and other aid that lead to greater
independence?
See the answer to question 2.
4. What measures exist to ensure access by women and girls with disabilities to
social protection programmes and poverty reduction programmes?
There are no specific measures to ensure access by women and girls with disabilities to social
protection programmes and poverty reduction.
5. Please provide information on the other measures (legislative, administrative,
juridical or other) aimed at the development, advancement and empowernment of
women with disabilities.
10
Slovenian legislation aims to promote economic and other forms of independence of individuals.
The key laws in individual areas are:
1. Education








Placement of Children with Special Needs Act 22
Elementary School Act 23
Vocational Education Act 24
Scholarships Act 25
Higher Education Act 26
Gimnazije Act 27
Rules on Additional Expert and Physical Assistance to Children and Youth with
Special Needs 28
Rules on the Method for Conducting Matura Examinations for Candidates with
Special Needs 29
2. Employment and occupational and vocational rehabilitation






Employment and Insurance Against Unemployment Act 30
Active Employment Policy Programme for the Period 2007–2013 31
Rules Concerning the Implementation of Active Employment Policy Measures 32
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of Disabled Persons Act 33
Rules on Criteria and Procedure to Acquire the Status of a Person with Disability
and the Right to Vocational Rehabilitation and to Assess Employment Opportunities
of Persons with Disabilities and on Activities of Rehabilitation Commissions 34
Rules on Criteria and Procedure for Determining the Subsidy Amount for Salaries of
Disabled Workers 35
3. Social assistance

Social Security Act 36
22
OG RS Nos. 54/2000, 118/2006-ZUOPP-A, 3/2007-UPB1, 52/2010 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-118/09-21.
OG RS Nos. 12/1996, 33/1997, 54/2000 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-72/96, 59/2001, 71/2004, 23/2005UPB1, 53/2005, 70/2005-UPB2, 60/2006 (63/2006 corr.), 81/2006-UPB3, 102/2007.
24
OG RS Nos. 12/1996, 44/2000, 86/2004-ZVSI, 79/2006-ZPSI-1.
25
OG RS Nos. 59/2007 (63/2007 corr.), 40/2009, 62/2010-ZUPJS.
26
OG RS Nos. 67/1993, 39/1995 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-22/94-15, 18/1998 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-34/98,
35/1998 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-243/95-13, 99/1999, 64/2001, 100/2003, 134/2003-UPB1, 63/2004,
100/2004-UPB2, 94/2006, 119/2006-UPB3, 59/2007-ZŠtip (63/2007 corr.), 15/2008 Const. Court Dec.:
U-I-370/06-20, 64/2008, 86/2009, 62/2010-ZUPJS.
27
OG RS Nos. 12/1996, 59/2001, 115/2006, 1/2007-UPB1.
28
OG RS Nos. 25/2006, 60/2006, 8/2008, 58/2011-ZUOPP-1.
29
OG RS Nos. 33/1998, 16/1999, 6/2006 (17/2006 corr.).
30
OG RS Nos. 5/1991 (17/1991 corr., 2/1994 corr.), 12/1992, 12/1993-ZUPDN93, 71/1993, 38/1994,
80/1997 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-343/94, 69/1998, 97/2001-ZSDP, 67/2002, 2/2004-ZDSS-1 (10/2004
corr.), 63/2004-ZZRZI, 79/2006, 107/2006-UPB1, 114/2006-ZUTPG, 59/2007-ZŠtip (63/2007 corr.),
51/2010 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-159/07-22, 80/2010-ZUTD SOP: 1991-03-0223.
31
Available at: www.mddsz.gov.si/fileadmin/mddsz.gov.si/.../apz_2007_2013.pdf (27 October 2011)
32
OG RS Nos. 64/2001, 31/2003, 135/2003, 80/2004, 61/2005, 76/2005, 98/2005, 2/2006, 5/2007.
33
OG RS Nos. 63/2004, 72/2005, 100/2005-UPB1, 114/2006, 16/2007-UPB2, 14/2009 Const. Court Dec.:
U-I-36/06-18.
34
OG RS No. 117/2005.
35
OG RS Nos. 117/2005, 40/2008.
36
OG RS Nos. 54/1992 (56/1992 corr.), 42/1994 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-137/93-24, 1/1999-ZNIDC,
41/1999, 60/1999 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-273/98, 36/2000-ZPDZC, 54/2000-ZUOPP, 26/2001, 110/2002ZIRD, 2/2004 (7/2004 corr.), 36/2004-UPB1, 21/2006 Odl.US: U-I-116/03-22, 105/2006, 114/2006ZUTPG, 3/2007-UPB2 (23/2007 corr., 41/2007 corr.), 122/2007 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-11/07-45,
61/2010-ZSVarPre, 62/2010-ZUPJS.
23
11
6. Are there provisions for regular home visits and inspections of medical
institutions where women and girls with disabilities are living/receiving
treatment? How do these work?
As a public service, social work centres provide a help to families for home service. This
includes professional counselling and assistance in re-establishing family relationships, in
caring for children, and educating the family with regard to performing its daily functions.
This service is intended for:
 individuals and families in cases when social distress results from disturbed family
relationships and can only be resolved by changing the inter-family relationships;
 families who seek professional counselling and help in caring for children;
 families in which two or more family members need more permanent support and
guidance to ensure normal conditions for maintaining and developing the family.
Individuals or families must choose this service voluntarily37.
Help to families at home is a useful form of assistance and service that offers individuals a
temporary alternative to care in an institution, with another family, or through some other
organised forms. The services are intended for individuals who can maintain an adequate
mental and physical state with occasional organised help and who can function in a familiar
living environment and choose this service voluntarily.
The following can use this service:
 persons over 65 years of age;
 persons with the status of a person with a disability pursuant to the Act Concerning
Social Care of Mentally and Physically Handicapped Persons, which gives them the
right to assistance and care;
 chronically ill persons with long-term health impairment who do not have the status of a
person with a disability;
 seriously ill children or children with serious physical or severe and profound mental
development disability who are not included in organised forms of care 38.
The service is provided by social work centres, residential homes for the elderly, special
institutions providing help to families at home, and concessionaires.
At the end of 2010, community treatment coordinators in the field of mental health were
employed at social work centres. Coordinators are professionals whose task is to provide
assistance to persons who no longer require treatment in a psychiatric hospital or controlled
treatment, but do need help with psychosocial rehabilitation, daily tasks, arrangement of living
conditions, and inclusion into everyday life on the basis of a treatment plan. All tasks are aimed
at finding suitable solutions with the purpose of the quickest possible return of the user to their
domestic environment (Source: Ministry of Labour, Family, and Social Affairs 39).
The Ministry of Labour, Family, and Social Affairs also appoints a representative responsible
for protecting rights in the field of mental health. The representative protects the person's
rights and acts in their interest and benefits.
37
Public Authorities Catalogue, tasks under the law and services carried out by the social work centres,
Community SCW, July 2011.
38
Public Authorities Catalogue, tasks under the law and services carried out by the social work centres,
Community SCW, July 2011.
39
Available at:
http://www.mddsz.gov.si/si/delovna_podrocja/sociala/dusevno_zdravje/koordinator_obravnave_v_sku
pnosti/ (27 October 2011)
12
In addition to the tasks an individual agrees on with their representative in a written
authorisation, the representative primarily:
 informs individuals in an appropriate manner of the right to correspond and use e-mail,
the right to send and receive packages, the right to accept visits, the right to use the
telephone, and the right to movement;
 provides individuals specific advice and explains how to exercise their rights;
 advises individuals on how to exercise their rights;
 strives to ensure respect for individuals' rights;
 checks whether records on the limitation of rights as determined in the Mental Health
Act, records on the use of special protective measures as determined in the Mental
Health Act, and records on treatment with special methods of treatment as determined
in the Mental Health Act are being maintained;
 recommends the implementation of administrative control of the ordering and
implementation of a special protective measure.
Each representative is appointed for the territory of two psychiatric hospitals (source: Ministry of
Labour, Family, and Social Affairs 40).
Legislation in the field of personal assistance 41, long-term care, and insurance for long-term
care 42 is being prepared. Personal assistance is currently provided by various associations
within the framework of social assistance services programmes funded by the Ministry of
Labour, Family, and Social Affairs, the Foundation for the Financing of Organisations of the
Disabled and Humanitarian Organisations, municipalities, etc. The employment of personal
assistants is also enabled by the measures of the active employment policy.
In the field of health care, pursuant to Article 27 of the Compulsory Health Insurance Rules 43,
in addition to the rights enjoyed by all insured persons, persons with disabilities are also entitled
to the following preventative services that insured persons can claim from providers of the basic
activity:
 eight home care visits for a family with an infant under one year of age, two additional
visits for infants of blind mothers and mothers with disabilities who have infants under
12 months of age, and one visit in both the child's second and third years;
 two home care visits per year for blind and visually impaired persons with additional
disorders between the ages of 7 and 25 if they are in home care and are not attending
school;
 two home care visits a year for chronically ill persons and persons with severe
disabilities who are alone and socially at risk and persons with developmental disorders
if they are insured and at least 25 years old.
In the field of social assistance and health care, the social and health inspection of all providers
of programmes, services, and other activities in the field of social assistance and health care.
The Health Inspection Act 44 determines that the Health Inspectorate of the Republic of
Slovenia is responsible for protecting public health by performing inspections of the
implementation of laws and other regulations and for regulating the state of hygiene of public
buildings intended for activities in the fields of child care, schooling, education, hygiene, social
40
Available at:
http://www.mddsz.gov.si/si/delovna_podrocja/sociala/dusevno_zdravje/koordinator_obravnave_v_sku
pnosti/ (27 October 2011)
41
Draft proposal of the Personal Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act. Available at:
http://www.mddsz.gov.si/si/zakonodaja_in_dokumenti/predpisi_v_pripravi/ (27 October 2011)
42
Draft proposal of the Long-term Care and Insurance for Long-Term Care Act. Available at:
http://www.mddsz.gov.si/si/zakonodaja_in_dokumenti/predpisi_v_pripravi/ (27 October 2011)
43
OG RS Nos. 30/2003 (35/2003 corr.), 78/2003, 84/2004, 44/2005, 30/2011.
44
OG RS Nos. 99/99, 110/01 - ZGO-1, 2/04, 36/04-UPB1, 47/04 - ZdZPZ, 39/06, 59/06-UPB2.
13
care, sports and recreation, trade, culture, and temporary housing in the event of natural
disasters and evacuations.
The Social Security Act 45 (Article 102) determines the tasks of the social inspectorate.
According to this act, the control over the work of public social welfare institutions,
concessionaires and other legal or natural persons providing social assistance services on the
basis of authorisation for work is organised and performed by the social inspectorate within the
framework of a body incorporated in the ministry responsible for social assistance.
7. What measures have been adopted to provide information and education to
women and girls with disability and their families, caregivers and health
providers and how to avoid, recognize and report instances of exploitation,
violence and abuse?
Various associations and some public institutions (social work centres, the Government Office
for Equal Opportunities) carry out prevention programmes entailing counselling and informing
people about violence, carry out workshops and consultations, and give lectures about laws that
enable problems with violence to be resolved, raise awareness, inform the interested public of
the existing assistance and services network for resolving family violence, organise actions for
raising public awareness, etc.
Information about assistance and services for resolving family violence is available at the
Association's offices and social work centres within the framework of first social aid services.
First social aid helps individuals to recognise and define social distress or problems, and
evaluate possible solutions, and acquaints them with all possible forms of services and
pertaining benefits and obligations, as well as with the network and programmes of service
providers 46.
The field of family violence is regulated by the Family Violence Prevention Act 47. The act
defines the notion of violence in families, the role and tasks of state authorities, holders of public
authority, public service contractors, authorities of self-governing local communities, as well as
non-government organisations taking part in consideration of family violence, and determines
the actions for protecting the victims of family violence. On the basis of this Act, the Resolution
on the 2009–2014 National Programme on the Prevention of Family Violence 48 was adopted on
27 May 2009.
To prevent violence in families and to protect as well as provide aid to victims there are other
actions that shall be taken as defined by other acts and regulations issued on their basis
besides the actions, which are defined by this act, namely:
 Rules on the Organization and Work of Multidisciplinary Teams and Regional Services
and on Actions of the Social Work Centres in Dealing with Domestic Violence 49 ,
 Rules on the Treatment of Domestic Violence for Educational Institutions 50 ,
 Rules on Procedures for Dealing with Domestic Violence in the Implementation of
Health Activities 51 ,
45
OG RS Nos. 54/1992 (56/1992 corr.), 42/1994 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-137/93-24, 1/1999-ZNIDC,
41/1999, 60/1999 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-273/98, 36/2000-ZPDZC, 54/2000-ZUOPP, 26/2001, 110/2002ZIRD, 2/2004 (7/2004 corr.), 36/2004-UPB1, 21/2006 Odl.US: U-I-116/03-22, 105/2006, 114/2006ZUTPG, 3/2007-UPB2 (23/2007 corr., 41/2007 corr.), 122/2007 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-11/07-45,
61/2010-ZSVarPre, 62/2010-ZUPJS.
46
Public Authorities Catalogue, tasks under the law and services carried out by the social work centres,
Community SCW, July 2011.
47
OG RS No. 16/2008.
48
OG RS No. 41/2009.
49
OG RS No. 31/2009.
50
OG RS No. 104/2009.
14

Rules on Cooperation between the Police and other Authorities in the Detection and
Prevention of Domestic Violence 52 .
The Family Code 53 , which redefines the notion of family violence, is in the legislative process.
8. What are the means to report violence against women and girls with disabilities
in different settings including medical centres and institutions? To what extent
are these known and accessible?
In the context of the Resolution on the 2009-2014 National Programme on the Prevention of
Family Violence, a wide media campaign is being implemented in Slovenia, involving a variety
of bodies. We strive for zero tolerance to domestic violence against women and children. The
basic purpose of the national programme is to direct the efforts of state institutions and civil
society towards creating the conditions and circumstances that enable the inhabitants of the
Republic of Slovenia to live in a safe environment and lead a quality and efficient individual and
family life. One of the important objectives of the national programme is to raise general
sensitivity towards the problems of violence, particularly if children within a family are exposed
to such violence. The objectives are:
1. to decrease family violence and violence in society in general;
2. to increase sensitivity to the problems of family violence;
3. to ensure harmonised action of the competent bodies and organisations;
4. to encourage diversity, uniform accessibility, development and quality implementation of
victim assistance programmes;
5. to encourage diversity, uniform accessibility, development and quality implementation of
programmes of working with the perpetrators of violence;
6. to ensure systematic awareness raising among children, youth and adults of their basic
human rights and duties as well as education for life in a violence-free society, for harmony
among generations and for respect of all people;
7. to encourage the awareness of those who are exposed to family violence about the types of
assistance available, ensuring their accessibility across the country;
The Ministry of the Interior has set up a contact point for anonymous e-reporting, which is also
intended for cases of domestic violence. In addition, a campaign targeting the widest public is
being implemented. "We wish to give a loud and clear message to the women, who are most
often the victims of domestic violence, that they should not feel guilty, that they have done
nothing wrong, and that they should not be ashamed of the situation but seek help instead.
Various brochures that have been prepared to this purpose include basic information on the
types of assistance available. Furthermore, the campaign informs that official institutions and
NGOs can offer a great deal of assistance, but they need to be notified. This is why we appeal
to the public to report violence to the police, and to the victims of violence not to be afraid to call
the police or seek help from the NGOs, which provide assistance and counselling to the victims
of violence. They can be the ones to inform the victims about the legal remedies available and
tell them that they can leave for good the environment where they have been experiencing
violence."
51
OG RS No. 38/2011.
OG RS No. 25/2010.
53
Available at: http://www.mddsz.gov.si/si/zakonodaja_in_dokumenti/predpisi_v_pripravi/ (27 October
2011)
52
15
9. To what extent are public institutions, such as police stations and hospitals,
accessible to women and girls with disabilities?
In 2010 the Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act was adopted in
Slovenia, which entered into force on 11.12.2010. The act among other prohibits discrimination
on the basis of disability in accessing public buildings and facilities and introduces the obligation
of adapting public buildings and facilities (during construction or renovation) to allow access to
those with disabilities.
The deadline to adapt public buildings and facilities (the removal of construction and
communication obstacles) is defined in Article 38, stipulating that the investor must remove the
obstacles during the first renovation of the building, but no later than within 15 years of the entry
into force of the act.
The police pay a great deal of attention to this issue, having taken all of the above into
consideration with all newly constructed police buildings as well as in major maintenance and
repair works that have been done in the last ten years.
In accordance with the act we intend to adapt access to police buildings where this still has to
be done during the first renovation, in order to allow access to those with disabilities (speciallymarked parking spaces, setting up a ramp in units where there is no one-level access to the
building).
The accessibility of public buildings, such as police stations and hospitals, is regulated by:
 Spatial Planning Act 54 ,
 Construction Act 55 and
 Rules on the Requirements for Free Access to, Entry to and Use of Public Buildings
and Facilities and Multi-apartment Buildings 56 .
The surmounting of architectural barriers is also regulated by the Equalisation of Opportunities
for Persons with Disabilities Act 57. All newly constructed public buildings must be accessible to
every person. The legislation also prescribes the deadlines for the comprehensive regulation of
this area.
In 2008, a survey was conducted among persons with disabilities and organisations of persons
with disabilities within the framework of the research study Accessibility of the Built and
Communication Environment as a Precondition for the Social Inclusion of Persons with
Disabilities – the User's Perspective (the Social Protection Institute of the Republic of Slovenia
and the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia 58), in which the respondents
reported any architectural and communication barriers in Slovenia that they had encountered.
The accessibility of public buildings in the field of health care and social assistance
54
OG RS Nos. 110/2002 (8/2003 corr.), 58/2003-ZZK-1, 33/2007-ZPNačrt, 108/2009-ZGO-1C,
79/2010 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-85/09-8, 80/2010-ZUPUDPP (106/2010 corr.).
55 OG RS No. 110/2002, amendments: OG RS No. 97/2003 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-152/00-23,
41/2004-ZVO-1, 45/2004, 47/2004, 62/2004 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-1/03-15, 102/2004-UPB1
(14/2005 corr.), 92/2005-ZJC-B, 93/2005-ZVMS, 111/2005 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-150-04-19,
120/2006 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-286/04-46, 126/2007, 57/2009 Const. Court Res.: U-I-165/098, 108/2009, 61/2010-ZRud-1 (62/2010 corr.), 20/2011 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-165/09-34.
56 OG RS Nos. 97/2003, 77/2009 Const. Court Dec.: U-I-138/08-9.
57
OG RS No. 94/2010.
58
KOBAL TOMC, Barbara et al. Dostopnost grajenega in komunikacijskega okolja kot predpogoj za
socialno vključevanje invalidov: uporabniška perspektiva (Accessibility of the Built and Communication
Environment as a Precondition for the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities – the User's
Perspective), Ljubljana, Social Protection Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, 2008.
16
In the field of health care and social assistance services, persons with disabilities encounter
somewhat fewer architectural barriers and slightly more communication barriers. The most
barriers are found in social work centres, followed by safe houses and maternity homes, while
communication barriers are mainly present in hospitals and community health care centres. The
most frequent architectural barriers are found in buildings where health care and social
assistance services are provided, are stairs, unsuitable toilets, and unsuitable entrances and
exits from buildings and spaces. Respondents also mentioned unadapted equipment in
buildings and spaces, unadapted diagnostic equipment, and the inaccessibility of buildings. As
a communication barrier, respondents noted unsuitable and hindered communication with
various staff, also due to glass windows and counters being set too high. They also noted the
lack of empathy, kindness, and tolerance of staff towards persons with disabilities (Accessibility
of the Built and Communication Environment as a Precondition for the Social Inclusion of
Persons with Disabilities – the User's Perspective, 2008 59).
The accessibility of institutions in the field of state administration
Persons with disabilities most frequently encounter architectural barriers at the offices of
Pension and Invalidity Insurance Institute and employment units, while the most barriers
encountered in courts and tax offices. As to communication barriers, courts and tax office
the least friendly towards persons with disabilities. The majority of the respondents do
encounter communication barriers at state administrative offices and municipalities.
the
are
are
not
In the field of the accessibility of the state administration services, the problem that appears in
the built environment is the inaccessibility of individual spaces and buildings in general (stairs, a
lack of elevators), difficult entrances and exits, unsuitable doors (too narrow and made of glass),
while toilets are rarely adapted for persons with disabilities. Car parks in front of buildings are
not proper either. A significant communication barrier is the lack of interpreters, the rudeness of
staff, writing that is too small, audio devices and subtitles are too few, etc. Contact windows are
dimmed and too high, bells are also problematic (Accessibility of the Built and Communication
Environment as a Precondition for the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities – the User's
Perspective, 2008 60).
10. Are there shelters for women victims of violence? To what extent are they
physically accessible to women with disabilities?
According to the data of the Association of the Physically Disabled of Slovenia VIZIJA
following are currently available for persons with disabilities: safe houses and shelters.
61,
the
The Association of the Physically Disabled of Slovenia VIZIJA carries out the House of Trust
special social programme. The assistance offered by the Association also includes:
accommodation for women experiencing violence in the living quarters of the House of Trust;
material help for victims of violence with no income and for those who are socially at risk and
have special needs, psychosocial, and other needed help. Within the programme, workshops
and lectures on the issue of violence aimed at raising awareness are also organised.
Other safe houses and shelters are not adapted for persons with disabilities. Data from the
research study Accessibility of the Built and Communication Environment as a Precondition for
the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities – the User's Perspective (the Social Protection
Institute of the Republic of Slovenia and the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of
59
KOBAL TOMC, Barbara et al. Dostopnost grajenega in komunikacijskega okolja kot predpogoj za
socialno vključevanje invalidov: uporabniška perspektiva (Accessibility of the Built and Communication
Environment as a Precondition for the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities – the User's
Perspective), Ljubljana, Social Protection Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, 2008.
60
KOBAL TOMC, Barbara et al. Dostopnost grajenega in komunikacijskega okolja kot predpogoj za
socialno vključevanje invalidov: uporabniška perspektiva (Accessibility of the Built and Communication
Environment as a Precondition for the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities – the User's
Perspective), Ljubljana, Social Protection Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, 2008.
61
Letter of the Association of Physically Disabled of Slovenia VIZIJA from 25 October 2011.
17
Slovenia, 2008) show that the most barriers are found in social work centres, followed by safe
houses and maternity homes. The most frequent architectural barriers in these buildings are:
stairs, unsuitable toilets, and unsuitable entrances and exits from buildings and spaces.
Prosecution and punishment
1. Are there disaggregated statistics on crimes against person with disabilities?
The Ministry of the Interior, the Police, and the General Police Directorate do not keep any
systematic records of violence against persons with disabilities, nor are such records kept by
the social work centres.
For orientation purposes Police is providing data on some criminal offences from the period
2008-2010 with women as victims:
Year
2008
2009
2010
Criminal offences against life and limb:
Manslaughter
6
6
7
Murder
3
9
8
Actual Bodily Harm
481
553
569
Aggravated Bodily Harm
24
52
45
Criminal offences against sexual integrity:
Rape
56
76
63
Sexual Violence
55
65
66
Sexual Abuse of Defenceless Person
16
17
17
Criminal offences against marriage, family and youth:
Family Violence
108
2252
2155
Neglect and Maltreatment of a Child
176
360
361
According to the data of the Association of the Physically Disabled of Slovenia VIZIJA, in the
period between 2008 and 2011, four persons with disabilities were treated due to violence in
safe houses and shelters, while organisations of persons with disabilities treated 73 persons in
the same period. Details are available in the table below.
DATA ON DEALING WITH VIOLENCE AGAINST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Seq. No. Public sector, organisation of persons with Data on dealing with violence against
disabilities
persons with disabilities in the period
2008–2010
POLICE
1
Ministry of the Interior, Police, General The Police do not keep any records
Police
Directorate,
Criminal
Police and do not collect any data on
Directorate
violence against persons with
disabilities.
2
Police Directorate Celje, Police Station A message saying that the General
Velenje
Police Directorate is responsible for
providing data on dealing with
18
3
Police Directorate Celje, Police Station
Laško
4
Police Directorate Celje, Police Station
Celje
5
Police Directorate Celje, Police Directorate
Rogaška Slatina
6
Police Directorate Celje, Police Station
Šmarje pri Jelšah
7
Police Directorate Celje, Police Station
Rogatec
TOTAL:
violence
No statistical data is recorded that
shows the number of instances of
dealing with violence against persons
with disabilities.
The Police do not keep any records
and do not collect any data on
violence against persons with
disabilities.
No reports of instances of dealing
with violence against persons with
disabilities
One instance of dealing with violence
against a women with disabilities
perpetrated by her partner
No instances of dealing with violence
against persons with disabilities
1
SOCIAL WORK CENTRE (SWC)
1
SWC Idrija
2
SWC Nova Gorica
3
SWC Radovljica
4
SWC Šmarje pri Jelšah
5
SWC Maribor
6
SWC Gornja Radgona
7
SWC Cerknica
8
SWC Piran
9
SWC Jesenice
10
SWC Šentjur
SWC
does
not
keep
any
disaggregated records on dealing
with violence against persons with
disabilities
Two instances of dealing with
violence against a person with
disabilities
SWC
does
not
keep
any
disaggregated records on dealing
with violence against persons with
disabilities
Five women with disabilities (two with
movement impairment, three with
mental and physical disorders)
Data on seven regional centres: no
disaggregated records are kept. Ten
persons with various disabilities,
recorded according to memory.
One instance of indirect family
violence against a child in a
wheelchair, with the mother being the
direct victim of the violence
No records of reports of violence
against persons with disabilities
One instance of dealing with violence
against a person with disabilities
No instance of violence against a
person with disabilities
Four persons with the status of
persons with disabilities pursuant to
the Act Concerning Social Care of
Mentally and Physically Handicapped
Persons
19
11
SWC Pesnica
12
SWC Ljubljana Šiška
TOTAL:
One instance of detected violence
against a person with a disability
A few reports of violence against
elderly persons and persons with a
mental health disorder
24 persons
SAFE HOUSES AND SHELTERS
1
2
3
4
Safe House of Gorenjska
Safe House of Gorenjska
Safe House of Maribor
SOS Help Line Shelter
TOTAL:
No users with disabilities
No users with disabilities
Two persons with disabilities
Two persons with disabilities
4 persons
ORGANISATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES
1
Federation of Disabled Workers of
Slovenia:
Association of Persons with Disabilities
Celje
Association of Persons with Disabilities
Radlje ob Dravi
Association of Persons with Disabilities
Slovenske Konjice
Association of Persons with Disabilities
Grosuplje (2005–2010)
Association of Persons with Disabilities
Nova Gorica
Association of Persons with Disabilities
Ljubljana-Center
Association of Persons with Disabilities
Novo Mesto
Association of Persons with Disabilities
Trbovlje
Association of Persons with Disabilities
Žalec
2
YHD – Association for Theory and Culture
of Handicap
3
Association of Persons with Disabilities –
Forum Slovenia
Paraplegics Association of Slovenia
4
5
Association VIZIJA:
- Celje area
- Ptuj area
- Ljubljana area
Approximately 20 instances
One instance
One instance
Nine instances
One instance
Nine instances
37 reports, 20% of which were
reports of violence against persons
with disabilities
Two instances
Five instances
Five instances of violence in the
period 2008–2010 (against four
women and one man)
No instance of violence against
persons with disabilities
Some reports of violence against
paraplegics and tetraplegics, but
unfortunately no exact data
One instance
One instance
Three instances
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- Slovenska Bistrica area
- Slovenske Konjice area
- Maribor area
- Rogatec area
- Ilirska Bistrica area
- Izola area
- Črnomelj area
One instance
One instance
One instance
One instance
One instance
One instance
One instance
TOTAL:
73 persons
TOTAL FOR THE PERIOD 2008–2010 on 102
dealing with violence against persons
with disabilities
Source: Association of the Physically Disabled of Slovenia VIZIJA
2. Please provide information on the total amount of registered complaints for
violence against women and girls with disabilities? Of the total amount how
many were dismissed? What were the main reasons for dismissal? Of the cases
that were prosecuted, how many resulted in convictions?
The police do not keep a separate record of complaints for violence against women and girls
with disabilities. If there is suspicion of a criminal offence, the police collect information and
evidence on a reported event pursuant to the Criminal Procedure Act. Individual investigated
criminal offences against women (not only women with disabilities) have been presented in the
answer to the previous question.
3. What system is in place to ensure legal aid for women and girls with disabilities
who have been victims of violence?
Pursuant to the Family Violence Prevention Act:
-
bodies and organisations are obliged to take all procedures and measures necessary to
protect a victim depending on the level of threat as well as to protect their interests and
ensure the respect for their integrity. If the victim of violence is a child, the rights of the
child take precedence over the benefits and rights of other participants in the
procedure.
-
Bodies, organisations and NGOs that during the course of their work learn about
circumstances based on which it can be concluded that violence is taking place, are
obliged to immediately inform a social work centre, except in cases where the victim
expressly opposes this and there is no suspicion of a criminal offence that must be
prosecuted ex officio.
Everybody, especially professional staff in health care and staff in educational
institutions and nurseries, must, irrespective of the provisions on the protection of
professional secrecy, immediately inform a social work centre, police or public
prosecutor's office of any suspicion of a child being the victim of violence.
-
In 2005 Slovenia also adopted the Crime Victim Compensation Act, which governs the right to
compensation for victims of intentional acts of violence and their close relatives, as well as the
procedure of exercising those rights and the bodies taking decisions and participating in
decision-making procedures concerning such rights.
4. What special measures have been envisaged in legislation and practices for
victims and witnesses with disabilities?
There are no special measures envisaged for victims with disabilities, except what has been
mentioned under question "What specific policies/programmes are in place to prevent and
address violence…" As regards witnesses of such offences, the Criminal Procedure Act
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provides for the anonymity of a witness, provided that statutory requirements are fulfilled, if
disclosure of individual personal data or full identity of a witness could result in serious threat to
their life or limb or the life or limb of their close relative. Provided that statutory requirements are
fulfilled, witness anonymity can also be ensured pursuant to the Witness Protection Act,
adopted in 2007.
5. What specific training is conducted for law enforcement and legal personnel on
the rights of women and girls with disabilities and effective ways to communicate
with them?
According to the Family violence prevention Act the practitioners working with the authorities,
and organizations who are responsible for performance of functions in the field of violence, must
in the framework of lifelong education, improvement and training regularly educate themselves
in the field of violence. Responsible persons with the authorities and organizations as well as
nongovernmental organizations are obliged to provide training for all practitioners who in the
framework of their work deal with victims or perpetrators of violence. Judiciary sphere is not
obliged to educate their officials about the issue on violence as other institutions (the police,
social work centres, health and education institutions). Judiciary are only given the option as to
whether they educate themselves or not.
In compliance with the Resolution on the National Programme on the Prevention of Family
Violence and the Family Violence Prevention Act, Rules on cooperation between the Police and
other authorities and organisations in detecting and preventing domestic violence were adopted
in 2010. These rules among other set forth rules and procedures of notification and cooperation
between the police and bodies and organisations in processing cases of family violence, as well
as regulate training of police officers and criminal investigators in the area of family violence. In
this regard, regular training courses for police officers and criminal investigators are organised
in the area of the investigation and prevention of crimes of family violence with a view to
providing professional assistance and counselling in investigating such crimes.
Recovery, Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration
1. What measures (legislative, administrative, social, educational or other) are in
place to promote the physical, cognitive and psychological recovery,
rehabilitation and social reintegration of women and girls with disabilities who
have been victim of any form of exploitation, violence, abuse?
Recovery, rehabilitation, and social reintegration of the whole population of women and children
is carried out within the framework of social security programmes and services, which are for
the most part funded by the Ministry of Labour, Family, and Social Affairs and the Foundation
for the Financing of Organisations of the Disabled and Humanitarian Organisations. These
comprise the programmes of safe houses and maternity homes, shelters, crisis centres,
therapeutic psychosocial help programmes, counselling centres, and SOS help lines.
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