Polish outlaw
Poland, as one of formal EU members is combating with domestic violence for decades. Since late ‘90’s it has been already disseminated with spreading the consciousness towards negative consequences of this phenomenon. Media campaign “stop domestic violence” was massively popularized to present all aspects of it and to take active steps to fight against it properly.
Still in 2019 polish police registered 65 195 cases of domestic violence towards women in total. Comparing to 14 years earlier, 2005 while it was 91 374 women victims it remains alarmingly high, but the tendency hopefully decrease. In 2014 Poland, among others ratified world-known Istanbul Convention which aims to provide more efficient legislation instruments in order to deal with domestic violence more definite. Seemingly it looks like the country struggles successfully, although a problem is actual and creating powerful strategies takes a long time.
Despite the fact that all Poland is strictly following the law, there is particularly one town in south of Poland – Zakopane which hasn’t signed act on counteracting domestic violence.
A scale of phenomenon there is extremely high. Economic, physical or sexual violence are on regular basis. The place is inhabited by mountaineers who seem to be boast with this fact. Their mentality is based on tough character and a family is highly significant but at the same time remains a private matter- what happens at home stays there constantly. It is also a matter of “generation tradition”- grandmother was beaten, mother as well and so does a daughter. They also perceive acts of physical domination as an immanent part of a tradition which cannot be disturbed with some “absurd” act.
Moreover, usually it is combined with alcohol consumption which increases acts of violence. Local citizens are also very religious and conservative. The law was voted already for 11 times. The composition of counsel is no one but twelve men who are regular citizens of Zakopane- native mountaineers as well. Their opinion is clear- a state should not get involved in the way of raising family. Despite an obligatory of proceeding a law, they still oppose to. For now the city is waiting for the judgmental of Constitutional Court.
Fortunately, a young generation is already having different mentality- more conscious and open. Violence is perceived as a negative act. Hopefully after some time the tendency will decrease and the law will be eventually implemented.
