The July edition of the newsletter of the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) features a professional article by Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković on the application of specialised prosecutorial guidelines in domestic violence cases in Montenegro.

The article presents the experience and results of implementing the Guidelines for the Conduct of State Prosecutors’ Offices in Cases of Violence in the Family or Family Community, issued by the Supreme State Prosecutor in October 2024, in accordance with the standards set out in the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention).

The article highlights that the implementation of the Guidelines has contributed to the standardisation of prosecutorial practice, greater institutional accountability, more effective protection of victims, and improved cooperation between the prosecution service, police, social welfare centres, healthcare institutions and civil society organisations.

During the first year of implementation, significant results were recorded, including an increase in the number of registered domestic violence cases, faster action in urgent cases, greater use of victim protection measures, and a reduction in the risk of secondary victimisation, particularly through appropriate treatment of victims and child witnesses.

The publication of the article in the IAP newsletter contributes to the exchange of experiences and best practices in the field of prosecuting domestic violence at the international level.