Global Voices Online

Jelena's ex-husband, a drug addict, comes to her home and threatens her child. Jelena divorced him, two years ago. The court ordered that he can see the child, because this can help his therapy to stop drug addiction, and yet he never paid any child support and has become a threat to Jelena and her child.

Jelena talked to the class of Serbian Web Journalism School. Her talk was part of a Facebook activism lecture. Students made a Cause Page on Facebook to promote this and similar cases. More than 250 individuals joined the Cause Page. Dragana Banković, Goran Necin and Dragan Milošević published stories about what happened to Jelena and her family in an effort to spread the word about the case. They wrote (SRB):

A drug-addict in Serbia can threaten his child’s life during court-ordered child visitation privileges. This story is for those who are worrying about established laws. Or for those who should be worrying.

This is the story about government institutions which don’t seem to be able – or willing – to protect a mother and child from a dangerous drug addict. Without any intention to prejudge the authorities, by writing this text we only want to draw the public’s attention to this issue.

Who?
Jelena is the mother of a four-year-old child. After three years of marriage, she divorced from her husband - a drug addict. She divorced because of his addiction and pathological behavior. Then she moved far away, in order to start new life, and eventually found a new man. Thereupon the problems started. The ex-husband is not satisfied with the fact that he can see his child only once in two weeks during the weekend. He comes to their door under the influence of drugs and alcohol, making verbal threats, and even banging on the doors and windows with hooligans. All that Jelena, her new husband and her child hear from official departments is that their peace and security is not their concern.

What?
From Clause 173 of Procedural Law, Chapter 11, about submissions and reports: “The obligation of the court of law is to protect his reputation and reputation of clients and other participants from insults, threats and any other attack”. The court of law must do their jobs… and police should do their jobs too!

Where?
This family bought a small house and orchard in the rural outskirts south of Belgrade. In the remote location, they are alone and vulnerable to attack (and the Belgrade Court told Jelena they cannot authorize her to legally purchase a firearm until the issue with her ex-husband is resolved!)

How can we help?
Time is critical for Jelena and her young son. If you do it, then do it for real. If we want to help, the ideas have to be materialized: mother and her child must have adequate help. In this case that means protection.

When?
The best help is when it is on time and totally. The answer to the question “When” is the same for you and court of law and police and social work institutions. The answer is NOW.