Domestic violence is covered by the Domestic Violence Prevention Act and the Criminal Code. The Domestic Violence Prevention Act contains the legal definition of domestic violence, which represents the basis for the effective work of authorities and organisations responsible for helping a victim of domestic violence. On the other hand, the Criminal Code contains the criminal definition of domestic violence, which serves as the basis for interference with the rights of the perpetrator of domestic violence. With regard to criminal offense of domestic violence, children are only considered indirect victims, whereas they are considered direct victims in the criminal offense of neglect and maltreatment of a minor. These two criminal offenses are in a relationship of specialty. We also distinguish between the sociological and legal definitions of domestic violence that can never entirely overlap; however, the legislator aims at bringing the legal definition closer to the sociological one, which benefits the victim’s situation. Because children are the weakest and most vulnerable members of society, they need special protection, particularly when they are victims of a criminal offense and participate in criminal proceedings. When dealing with domestic violence, children are involved in the criminal proceeding as witnesses. For this reason, they experience secondary victimisation, which is particularly noticeable during a child’s hearing. The hearing of a child is thus carried out with the help of a forensic interview. Nevertheless, various measures help reduce the effects of secondary victimisation, such as a child-friendly interview room, which is also used in Slovenia. The adjective ‘friendly’ covers all the measures needed so that the child feels comfortable in the room.
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