Breaking from the Past: The Challenge of Documenting Intimate Partner Violence in Southeastern Europe

Abstract Without systematically collected data on violence against women, it is difficult to know how often the violence occurs and what populations are most in need of services. These efforts are especially needed in southeastern Europe, where there have been significant legislative changes in the last ten years but few mechanisms for monitoring progress or enforcement of policies. Efforts to establish systematic data collection are hampered by a lack of infrastructure to support such projects, cultural emphasis on male authority, and long-standing conflicts in the region. Recommendations for further research in the region are included.