Increase in reports of rape, harassment and domestic violence in Montenegro

The number of individuals reported for crimes against sexual freedom in Montenegro rose by 53.95% in 2025, while reports related to offences against marriage and family rose by 22.73%, according to the 2025 Report on the Work of the Prosecutorial Council and the State Prosecutor’s Office.

The report says that during 2025, criminal complaints were filed against 117 individuals for offences against sexual freedom. Including cases carried over from previous years, proceedings involved a total of 123 individuals. Indictments were filed against 25 people, direct indictments against two, while investigations were ordered for 30 individuals.

The majority of reports in this category concerned rape and sexual harassment. A total of 33 individuals were reported for rape, with investigations launched against 17 of them. The same number of reports – 33 – was recorded for prohibited sexual acts and for sexual harassment, with indictment proposals filed against 14 individuals in the latter category.

The document also notes 12 cases involving child sexual exploitation, including two direct indictments and five investigation orders.

A significant rise was also seen in offences against marriage and family. During 2025, 1.431 persons were reported, while the total number of active cases, including earlier proceedings, hit 1.604.

The largest share of these cases related to domestic violence and violence within family communities. A total of 1.213 persons were reported for domestic violence, with proceedings conducted against 1.323 people overall. Indictment proposals were filed against 588 individuals, while investigations were ordered for 60.

By the end of the reporting period, cases against 214 individuals for offences against marriage and family remained unresolved.