Croatia protests in 17 cities over Slatina femicide and systemic failures

femicide domestic violence women's rights Slatina murder National Day against Violence against Women

Protests have erupted in 17 Croatian cities following the femicide of a 35-year-old woman in Slatina. Organized by Ženska mreža Hrvatske and various women's rights groups, the demonstrations coincide with the National Day against Violence against Women. Protesters are demanding systemic reforms, including the reclassification of domestic violence from a misdemeanor to a criminal offense, standardized risk assessments, and better coordination between police, the judiciary, and social services.

In the Slatina case, investigations revealed failures within the police and the State Attorney's Office. Police Director Nikola Milina admitted that necessary actions were not taken immediately despite known risks. Consequently, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against several officers. Activists have also criticized Minister Alen Ružić for comments suggesting the victim's decision to withdraw protection measures influenced the outcome, arguing that the state's responsibility to protect life remains regardless of such actions.

National statistics highlight the severity of the issue. In 2025, women accounted for 86 percent of domestic violence victims in Croatia. While total reported domestic violence crimes saw a slight decrease, the number of women killed by intimate partners rose from five in 2024 to 12 in 2025.

Entities

Alen Ružić · Croatia · Nikola Milina · Slatina · Sunčana Glavak · Varaždinska županija · Ženska mreža Hrvatske

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 8 SOURCES] The protests were triggered by the femicide of a 35-year-old woman in Slatina. www.24sata.hr · 6yka.com · www.dnevno.hr · 023.hr · ogportal.com · +2 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against several police officers due to failures in the Slatina case. www.24sata.hr · 6yka.com · 023.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] Police Director Nikola Milina admitted that not all necessary actions were taken immediately before the Slatina murder. www.24sata.hr · 6yka.com · 023.hr
[● 2 SOURCES] The National Call Center for Victims reported that 86 percent of domestic violence victims in Croatia in 2025 were women www.dalmacijanews.hr · rvg.hr
[○ 1 SOURCE] In Varaždin, domestic violence misdemeanors decreased by 19 percent, but criminal domestic violence increased by 29 pct. www.klikaj.hr
[● 9 SOURCES] Ženska mreža Hrvatske and other organizations organized protests in 17 Croatian cities. ogportal.com · ezadar.net.hr · www.24sata.hr · www.dnevno.hr · 023.hr · +3 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] EU MEP Sunčana Glavak noted that nearly one in three women in the EU has experienced physical or sexual violence. www.dalmacijadanas.hr
[● 6 SOURCES] Protesters demand that domestic violence be moved from the misdemeanor to the criminal sphere. ogportal.com · www.tportal.hr · 023.hr · ezadar.net.hr · www.dnevno.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] The number of women killed by current or former intimate partners in Croatia rose from five in 2024 to 12 in 2025. tvjadran.hr · rvg.hr · www.vecernji.hr