Bogdanci: the Violence Was Reported Twice, Protective Measures Were Imposed - Who Protected the 17-Year-Old Girl?

On 30 September, after an argument in the family home of 21-year-old V.G. in Bogdanci, the 17-year-old girl he was in a relationship with was physically assaulted. According to the police bulletin, he threatened to kill her if she left the house and damaged her mobile phone so she could not call the police. She climbed out through a window. Passers-by called the police, and she was taken to the hospital in Gevgelija.

On 3 November, a little over a month later, a burnt-out car was found at the "Icheva Cheshma" site near Bogdanci. Next to it lay the body of the 21-year-old, and after the fire was put out a second burnt body was found inside the vehicle, presumed to be the girl's. The prosecution said initial indications point to a murder-suicide, but that the event has yet to be fully investigated.

What the institutions knew

This is not a story of violence nobody saw. The man was detained on 1 October. On 14 October a criminal complaint for bodily harm was filed against him. On 16 October the prosecution received another complaint, this time for endangering the safety of the minor, and according to them action began immediately. In parallel, in civil proceedings, protective measures against domestic violence were imposed on him.

A physical assault, death threats, an attempt to stop her from calling for help, two complaints and protective measures in place. Everything is on paper. And yet, a little over a month after the first reported assault, both of them are dead.

"Action began immediately" is the sentence the prosecution answers with. But it does not answer the questions that really matter: what risk was assessed after the complaints, who monitored whether the protective measures were being enforced, and were there new threats after the girl entered the system? So far no full timeline has been made public that would show where the chain broke.

The National Network to End Violence against Women and Domestic Violence has called for an urgent and independent investigation into how the institutions acted. Autopsies have been ordered on both bodies, and CCTV footage has been secured.

Reporting is not protection

Every victim is told the same thing: report it, ask for help, don't stay silent. In Bogdanci the violence was reported, the man was detained, the measures were imposed. What are protective measures worth if no one checks whether they are being respected? And who will answer for the empty space between the report and real protection?