In the past period, Tatabrada television produced the series “Take the first step. Hitting is not a solution”, which resulted with five episodes about a major problem in today’s society, femicide.
The serial “Take the first step. Hitting is not a solution” is an innovative television project that specifically deals with the problem of femicide as a serious form of violence against women, often resulting with death. Series sent a strong message that violence is never a solution, and that active action is necessary to prevent this social problem.
In all episodes, the serial explored a wide range of topics related to femicide, highlighting the complex causes and consequences of this form of violence. The third and fourth episodes provided an intimate insight into the lives of people who were directly confronted with this problem – women who suffered violence or were victims, families who coped with loss, but also experts, activists and people fighting for the prevention of violence against women.
The main theme of the serial is to encourage viewers to recognize the signs of violence, encourage solidarity, empower victims to seek for help and encourage society to make wider changes to stop violence against women. Each episode emphasizes the importance of timely action and recognition of the need to support victims of femicide. The series emphasized that everyone can be part of the solution, encouraging viewers to take the first step towards change – whether it’s raising their voice against violence, supporting victims, or supporting initiatives to better protect women.
Key messages and complete episodes are presented below.
EPISODE 1
- We do not consider swearing and insults to be ugly, but normal, according to Danijela Huremović, head of the Safe House. According to her, the users at Association of Citizens of Viva Women do not know about the term femicide, and the fact that only 38 people responded to the survey shows that they do not know or do not understand femicide. Out of these, 84.2% fully understands the term femicide, while 13.2% understands to some extent, and 2.6% of the 38 respondents does not understand the term “femicide”. 92.1% believe that femicide is present in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while 7.9% believe that in our country there is no murder of a woman because she is a woman.
- Although it does not have its own legal framework like femicide, domestic violence is clearly defined in several laws that treat the problem of domestic violence. Domestic violence, depending on the severity, manner of execution and consequences, can be treated as a criminal offense or as a misdemeanor, while a special law on protection from domestic violence (Law on Protection from Domestic Violence of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Law on protection against domestic violence of the Republic of Srpska) defines precise security measures for the purpose of protecting victims of domestic violence.
- Every femicide is preceded by long-term violence, which in most cases the victims themselves are not aware of. Although slapping is considered the first sign of violence, it begins much earlier. Instead of the perpetrators, the victims most often blame their own behavior.
- Preventing femicide and domestic violence is the task of both – the system and the entire society. Parents should monitor their children’s emotions from the earliest age and teach them, but also show by their own example that violence has no place. In addition to raising children and educating professionals, society should know that domestic violence is not and cannot be a private matter. According to the results of the survey conducted by Tatabrada television, out of 38 respondents, 28 of them believe that domestic violence is a public matter, while 10 of them believe that it is a private matter.
“Femicide is defined as a hate crime against women motivated by the sex of the victim. Femicide is different from other forms of murder because it is about gender-related murders of women just because they are women,” said Danijela Huremović, head of the Safe House.
Watch the full episode bellow:
EPISODE 2
- The latest cases of femicide in Bosnia and Herzegovina, such as the monstrous murder in Gradačac, called into question not only the protection system functioning, but also the ethics of journalism. Numerous media have shown for the umpteenth time that they care more about clicks and views than objective reporting.
- Although femicide is defined as such, most media failed to name killing of a woman as a femicide, and gender-based violence as a gender-based violence. Instead, we increasingly read headlines about family tragedies and similar. According to communication expert Mirza Mehmedović, this is how the media tries to soften the very act of murder.
- In reporting on femicide, the biggest role is played by the media’s editorial policy, which largely influences the journalists’ approach to this topic. Therefore, it is very important to make a distinction between media that work professionally and sensationalist media.
“Media is not aware of their position in society, and they are not even aware of the consequences of this type of reporting on society,” emphasizes communication specialist Mirza Mehmedović.
Watch the full episode:
EPISODE 3
- According to the data of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Tuzla Canton, in 2022 there were 399 reports of domestic violence. All of them took the first, most difficult step. They decided to report the abuser and ask for help.
- Although reporting a bully is the most difficult, the steps that follow are not easy for any victim. However, in addition to victims of violence, persons who witness the violent behavior of third parties must contact the nearest police station.
- Depending on the assessment of the danger of the situation in which person is, the victim is assigned to stay in a safe house where she undergoes the necessary psychosocial program.
“I would never dare to leave. I didn’t want to complain to anyone, because I thought it had to be like that – that’s how my life is! It was meant to be for me!”, said one of the interlocutors who was a victim of violence.
Full episode is available bellow:
EPISODE 4
- In the last two years, 19 women were killed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They often leave behind minor children with lifelong traumas, broken families, crying parents and a wide circle of mourners.
- Behind each femicide victims are the loved ones: children without mothers, parents without daughters, brothers and sisters without sisters, friends without friends. And behind each of these women there are media articles that reduce her to the brutality of her death. According to Mirza Mehmedović, a communication specialist and professor at the Department of Journalism, journalists should be objective and professional regardless of the topic they are reporting on.
- Crime itself, femicide, but also violence, leaves consequences for the whole family, but also society. Therefore, they must be the support for all women who are currently undergoing mental or physical abuse.
Episode 4 of the series deals with the case of Arnela Đogić murder, and the consequences it left on her loved ones.
“We drink a little. Pray! Cry! We don’t like going to the doctors. We are struggling with this pain,” Arnela’s parents said in a statement for Tatabrada TV.
EPISODE 5
- You too can report violence by calling B&H SOS phone, there are two active and free SOS lines for calls. For advice on what to do, call either 1265 for the FBiH or 1264 for the RS to get first-level psychological and social support. To report a violent crime, call the Police on 122.
- The fifth episode focuses on the stories of women who successfully escaped relationships with violent partners and who became inspirations to other women that HITTING IS NOT THE SOLUTION AND THAT THEY NEED TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP!
“I told him that he can do as he wants, but he won’t be able to do it until he wants. After that, I got up calmly and filed for divorce. At that moment, he started begging me to withdraw the request…”, said a woman who experienced physical and psychological abuse for several years.
Watch full episode bellow:
The series “Take the first step. Hitting is not a solution” presents a strong message of hope, education, and encouragement to action, with the aim of creating a society where women can live free from fear and violence.
Realization of this project was made possible with the support of the SMART Balkans- Civil Society for Shared Society in the Western Balkans Ad Hoc grant.
