Child protection and violence prevention in Montenegro

Montenegrin officials and lawmakers have addressed rising levels of peer violence and the need for improved child protection systems. During parliamentary discussions, Minister of Social Welfare, Family and Demography Damir Gutić highlighted the implementation of the Ministry’s Strategy for the Prevention and Protection of Children from Violence (2025–2029), which includes plans for a national ‘Barnahus’ model to support victims of severe physical and sexual violence.

While the government emphasized inter-institutional cooperation, some lawmakers criticized the current approach for focusing on consequences rather than root causes. Concerns were raised regarding increasing risks of substance abuse and gambling among students.

In response to these challenges, new mandatory guidelines for educational institutions have been introduced to address gender-based and sexual violence against children. Developed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation and the Center for Women's Rights, these procedures aim to provide schools with a framework for professional response and student protection.