Official data shows that, at national level, in Croatia every year between 1,400 and 2,000 persons are charged with criminal offences for violent behaviour in the family, with women victims in 75 to 80 % of the cases. In accordance with statistical data, it is considered that in the event of domestic violence that charges are pressed only in one out of ten cases.

Such figures commit the society to taking significant steps with the aim of protecting women and children from domestic violence as well as from other forms of aggressive behaviour including peer violence and various forms of sex discrimination.

The phenomenon of domestic violence has been regulated by the Law on the protecion from domestic violence.

The City of Rijeka, aware that this problem exists, promotes and finances a number of projects in cooperation with various institutions and associations to prevent and protect women and children – victims of violence, and to provide to this vulnerable population necessary assistance in cases of domestic violence.