Attitudes, Perceptions and Experiences of Croatian Youth with Violence in Youth Relationships

Nasilje u mladenačkim vezama veliki je društveni i javnozdravstveni problem, kojem se dosad nije posvećivalo dovoljno pažnje, kako u javnosti, tako i među stručnjacima i znanstvenicima. Međutim, u zadnje vrijeme raste svijest među hrvatskom javnosti o tom problemu i sve se više upozorava na važnost rane detekcije problema i prevencije, kako bi se u najranijoj fazi spriječilo takvo nasilno ponašanje. U proteklih par godina bilo je i nekoliko primjera nasilnih mladenačkih veza sa smrtnih ishodima, što je svakako dodatno probudilo svijest javnosti i potaklo da se o tome problemu sve više govori. Važno je pravovremeno reagirati na nasilje jer se time povećavaju izgledi za pomoć žrtvi, ali i rehabilitaciji nasilnika. Cilj ovog rada jest istražiti kakvi su zapravo stavovi i percepcija mladeži u Hrvatskoj o nasilju u mladenačkim vezama, ali i njihova osobna iskustva. U istraživanju je korištena kvantitativna metoda ankete, a instrument prikupljanja podataka bio je online upitnik objavljen u različitim facebook grupama. Uzorak na kojem je provedeno istraživanje jest prigodni uzorak u kojem je sudjelovalo 455 mladih građana iz Republike Hrvatske u dobi od 16 do 30 godina. Rezultati istraživanja obrađeni su detaljnom deskriptivnom analizom. Dobiveni podaci pokazali su da je otprilike petina uzorka doživjela neki oblik nasilja u vezi. Najčešće su doživjeli neki oblik psihičkog, odnosno emocionalnog nasilja, dok su fizičko i seksualno nasilje prisutni u manjoj mjeri. Također se pokazalo da su mladi u Republici Hrvatskoj svjesni postojanja problema nasilja u vezi i da prepoznaju nasilne obrasce ponašanja. Rezultati ovog istraživanja mogu potencirati povećanje svijesti o postojanju problema nasilja u mladenačkim vezama i ujedno potaknuti na daljnja istraživanja i analize te kreiranje novih mjera prevencije i zaštite.Violence in youth relationships is a major social and public health problem, to which not enough attention has been paid so far, both in public and among experts and scientists. However, there has been a growing awareness among the Croatian public about this problem recently, and the importance of early detection of the problem and prevention is increasingly being warned, in order to prevent further such behavior at the earliest stage. In the past few years, there have been several examples of violence in youth relationships with fatalities, which has certainly further raised public awareness and encouraged more and more speaking about the problem. It is important to react to violence in time, in order to increase the chances of helping the victim, but also to rehabilitate the perpetrator. The aim of this paper is to investigate the attitudes and perceptions of youth in Croatia about violence in youth relationships, but also their personal experiences. The research was conducted using a quantitative survey method and the data collection instrument was an online questionnaire published in various facebook groups. The sample on which the research was conducted is a sample of 455 young citizens in Croatia aged 16 to 30 years. The results of the research were processed by a detailed descriptive analysis. The data show that approximately one-fifth of the sample experienced some form of relationship violence. They most often experienced some form of psychological or emotional violence, while physical and sexual violence were present to a lesser extent. Obtained data also show that young people in the Republic of Croatia are aware of the problem of relationship violence and recognize violent patterns of behavior. The results of this research can emphasize the increase in awareness of the problem of violence in youth relationships and also encourage further research and analysis and the creation of new prevention and protection measures