This paper explores decision-making as a form of existential loss, specifically as the “death” of unchosen alternatives. Building on existential and phenomenological approaches to choice, I argue that making a decision is fundamentally about leaving possibilities behind rather than embracing a single path. Healthy decision-making requires the capacity to mourn these losses and to tolerate the coexistence of unchosen alternatives in the world. By contrast, the narcissistic personality exhibits a pathological relationship to decision-making characterised by the need to annihilate rejected options and those who represent them. Contemporary research has identified various subtypes of narcissism, including grandiose and vulnerable presentations (Pincus & Lukowitsky, 2010; Miller et al., 2011), though this paper focuses on the fundamental structural features common to narcissistic pathology rather than its diverse phenomenological manifestations. This analysis has implications for both philosophical practice and psychotherapy, suggesting that our ability to make generative life choices depends on our capacity to relate constructively to loss and limitation.
The early Christian understanding of pain was shaped by faith in Jesus Christ as the deliverer from death, pain, and suffering, which is also evident in early Christian symbolism and iconography. Until the 4th-5th century, the cross primarily signified the divine presence within the believer, rather than the instrument of Christ’s suffering. A shift in focus resulted from changes in the political context. Christianity, as the ideology of an empire, became an instrument for the sacralization of violence. On the moral and psychological level, this led to a kind of inversion that placed sacrifice and pain at the center of belief and cult, and asceticism at the center of religious practice. Nevertheless, through efforts to provide a theological framework for asceticism, a space emerged for the reaffirmation of the individual and their emancipation from a religious-political context defined by violence. The aim of this paper is to examine the key conceptual dimensions of the transformations that have occurred in the Christian understanding of pain.
In domestic tort law, the subjective concept of non-pecuniary damage has been adopted, according to which non-pecuniary damage does not consist in the mere violation of personality rights, that is, a personal interest as the object of a subjective non-pecuniary right, but rather in the pain or fear suffered, or in the violation of the intimate sphere that causes a disturbance in the psychological balance of the injured party. The violation of the constitutionally guaranteed right to non-discrimination constitutes an infringement of personality rights, and fair compensation belongs to the right holder whose degree of harm and the circumstances of the case justify the award of monetary satisfaction. Therefore, pain, as a legal category, has exceptional significance in tort law. In this paper, the author first examines the theoretical concepts of compensation for non-pecuniary damage - the subjective, objective, and mixed approaches - and explains the primary orientation of the Serbian legislator, as well as certain deviations. This theoretical distinction serves as the basis for the analysis of available case law in anti-discrimination litigation, with the aim of determining whether there are certain shortcomings in the understanding and, consequently, in the consistent application of the subjective concept of non-pecuniary damage in practice. Finally, an overview of how courts approach the criteria for awarding compensation for non-pecuniary damage, taking into account the relevant provisions of the Law on Obligations is provided.
The paper examines suffering as a layered emotional state that transcends the boundaries of a single scientific discipline and finds its place within the context of criminal law. The theoretical part of the paper analyses the occurrence and forms of suffering in criminal law, considering its dual presence through both victimological and criminological perspectives. The concept of suffering is explored within the framework of criminal offenses such as domestic violence and homicide, identifying normative and practical challenges related to its definition and determination. The empirical part of the study is based on the analysis of medical records of 75 legally insane individuals who were involuntarily hospitalized in the Department of the Institute for Forensic Psychiatry “Dr. Vlado Jukić” at the Vrapče Psychiatric Clinic, with the aim of determining the sources of their suffering and its connection to the committed offenses and established diagnoses.
This paper explores pain, suffering, and discrimination as interconnected social phenomena. It argues that suffering is not only a personal or emotional experience but is shaped by social, political, and institutional conditions that determine which forms of pain are recognized, expressed, and addressed. Drawing on phenomenology, narrative theory, and social theory, the authors examine how pain becomes intelligible through storytelling, collective memory, and everyday practices of care and attention. The paper highlights the ethical and political dimensions of recognition, showing that injustice often arises when certain experiences of suffering are rendered invisible or excluded from moral and public discourse. Discrimination is understood as a systematic obstruction of intelligibility, whereby social, bureaucratic, and spatial structures limit whose suffering can be seen, heard, and responded to. The authors argue that justice requires not only material or legal remedies but also conditions in which suffering can be meaningfully recognized and socially acknowledged. Ultimately, they propose that attention, responsiveness, and recognition are central to ethical and just societies.
This article examines how pain and suffering experienced by women are shaped and delegitimised within historical, philosophical, and psychoanalytic regimes of knowledge. Through an analysis of medical practice, philosophical traditions and psychoanalytic insights, the author demonstrates that pain is not a neutral biological sensation but rather an epistemologically, politically and symbolically structured phenomenon. The focus lies on the female body as a site where patriarchal discourses, institutional indifference and linguistic inadequacy intersect. Special attention is paid to obstetric violence and its inscription into the psychosymbolic structure of the subject. The aim of this article is to highlight the need for new regimes of recognizing pain, grounded in an ethics of care, a political analysis of vulnerability, and feminist theory of the body. By doing so, the paper opens up the question of possible alternatives ethics of care, epistemologies of vulnerability and feminist politics of recognition which acknowledge pain as a political category and a call for transformation of the regime of attention.
Although the concepts of marginalization and social exclusion are theoretically demarcated and defined, their connection becomes particularly visible when viewed through the prism of the phenomenon of homelessness. Social exclusion refers to the process in which individuals or groups are excluded from social, economic and political flows, thereby losing access to basic rights and resources. Marginalization, on the other hand, implies putting certain groups or individuals on the edge of society, where they are often denied access to the decisive factors for a stable life, such as education, employment, health care and adequate housing. These processes, although they can manifest in different forms, are united in the situation of homelessness, which is the ultimate expression of social exclusion and marginalization. Homelessness does not arise as a simple result of losing an apartment, but is linked to deep social, economic and psychological factors. Addictions, mental illnesses, unemployment, poverty, but also institutional barriers, all make up a complex mixture of factors that push people to the margins of society. In this context, the homeless are not only people without a home, but persons who are systematically excluded from basic social functions and neglected by institutions, thus perpetuating their marginal status. The aim of this paper is to investigate the interrelationship between the phenomena of social exclusion, marginalization and homelessness, after each of these terms has been described and analyzed in detail. By exploring these three dimensions, the paper seeks to provide a deeper understanding of how social exclusion and marginalization manifest in the form of homelessness, as well as how the mutual interaction of these factors contributes to the creation of long-term and complex social problems.
The constant and rapid changes in the digital era, along with improvements across all areas of modern life, have led to the emergence of new types of security threats, especially among young people. The misuse of information and communication technologies (ICT) has become a means of carrying out everyday violence against users of the Internet and social networks. The largest group of users, who are also the largest target group of bullies, are high school students. The subject of the paper is the use of the Internet and social media by high school students and their negative experiences in cyberspace. The paper aims to present research findings on the causes, prevalence and intensity of victimisation in cyberspace and its consequences on the health and safety of children and young people. Taking into account the results that indicate that high school students are at high risk of cyber victimisation, in the concluding remarks, attention was drawn to the patterns of social interaction in cyberspace, resulting from the lack of security culture and insufficient digital literacy.
Work-related violence represents a serious form of victimization in the workplace, yet it remains insufficiently researched in the social protection system. The subject of this paper is a systematic review of empirical research on work-related violence, with a particular focus on the social protection system. The paper aims to analyse findings from international research on the prevalence, structure, characteristics of actors (perpetrators and victims), consequences, and coping strategies for work-related violence in the social protection system, compare them with findings from the general working population to understand the specificities of this system, and identify research gaps in the Serbian context. A systematic approach was employed to search the literature in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar databases, from May to August 2025, covering papers published between 2000 and 2024. Data were analysed using narrative synthesis, with a special focus on comparative analysis of findings from social protection and findings on work-related violence generally. Results show a high prevalence of work-related violence in social protection (data ranging from 32% to 94%), potentially higher than in other sectors (from 8% to 52%). Dominant forms include verbal aggression, humiliation, gossip, and systematic isolation. Perpetrators are most often direct supervisors (49%) and colleagues (30%), with authoritarian leadership and unsupportive organisational culture representing key risk factors. Victims of work-related violence experience serious consequences at the emotional (anxiety, depression), social (isolation, intention to leave the job), and psychosomatic level (post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic fatigue). In Serbia, there are virtually no empirical data on work-related violence in the social protection system. The paper points to the need for systematic research in Serbia as well, the development of prevention programs adapted to the specificities of this system, and the strengthening of institutional support for employees.
In the contemporary global context, children without parental care placed in foster families face multiple risks, both in the real world and in digital environments. Given that many of these children have previously experienced various forms of trauma, neglect, or abuse, their exposure to digital threats, including cyberbullying, manipulation, online scams, and inappropriate content, further increases their vulnerability. Children who lack developed digital skills, digital literacy, and critical thinking are especially at risk. In this regard, the role of foster carers becomes exceptionally important, as they represent the primary line of support and protection. Their digital competencies and their ability to recognise, understand, and respond to digital risks significantly affect the safety and well-being of the children in their care. Considering the above, this research aims to map the needs and challenges of foster families in the field of children's digital safety, as well as to examine the level of knowledge and skills among foster carers, their understanding of digital risks, and their capacity to respond appropriately to incidents of digital violence. The research was conducted during May and June 2025 using a qualitative research approach to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and perspectives of foster carers in relation to the topic. Focus group interviews were used as the data collection method. A total of four focus groups were conducted, with participation from 45 foster carers from the areas of Belgrade, Sabac, Valjevo, and Loznica. All participants were part of the Belgrade Centre for Foster Care and Adoption system and had at least two years of experience in foster care, which was the inclusion criterion for the research sample. The findings indicate that foster carers face a range of specific challenges in the area of digital safety, particularly in the context of day-to-day caregiving. These challenges include a lack of information about digital risks, limited competencies to guide children?s online activities, a low level of digital resilience, and insufficient systemic support in protecting children from potentially harmful digital content and behaviours.
The protection of crime victims has evolved into a central pillar of modern justice systems, reflecting a growing consensus on the need to uphold victims? rights, dignity, and well-being. This paper critically examines the legal, institutional, and societal dimensions of victim protection, with an emphasis on the persistent gap between formal rights and their practical implementation. Drawing on comparative insights from various jurisdictions, the study explores the effectiveness of multidisciplinary and trauma-informed approaches, as well as the potential of problem-solving and restorative justice models in fostering victim-centred justice. The findings reveal that effective protection requires not only robust legal frameworks but also integrated institutional support, societal change, and sustained professional training. Based on this analysis, the paper offers evidence-based policy recommendations aimed at strengthening victim protection in contemporary legal systems.
The paper explores the older persons? vulnerability to various forms of violence, employing a positive deviance approach. This paper aims to elucidate a novel methodological framework in social research through an empirical case study, particularly beneficial for action research. The positive deviance approach is rooted in methodological individualism and presents a fluid, eclectic framework that avoids the pitfalls of in-depth profiling. Epistemologically, it does not presume the cognitive superiority of the researcher over the respondents, and the boundaries of its theoretical potential are clearly delineated by the desired outcome of the interventions conducted within the realm of social relations. From a practical perspective, it serves as a tool for identifying, enhancing, and expanding specific behaviours that can be utilised to address particular challenges. The results of a two-and-a-half-year study conducted in Serbia (Plandiste, Uzice, and Valjevo, January 2020 ? July 2022) revealed that the development of support networks and increased spatial mobility significantly contribute to better integrating the older adults into their local communities. Financial and property independence emerged as crucial elements of resilience among the older adults. Ba employing the positive deviance approach, successful strategies used by some older individuals as effective mechanisms for preventing or mitigating the risk of violence were identified.
This paper explores obstetric violence as a distinct form of violence against women, drawing on phenomenological and feminist perspectives on the female body during childbirth. Through qualitative analysis of ten semi-structured interviews with women who gave birth in public and private hospitals in Serbia, the study examines experiences of invisibility, loss of control, silencing, and verbal or physical aggression during labour. Findings point to systemic forms of violence that are normalised under the guise of medical routine and professional authority. In the contemporary medical context, childbirth is increasingly experienced as a depersonalised process, where women are objectified and excluded from decision-making about their own bodies. Using concepts of embodied subjectivity and feminist theories of reproductive control, the paper argues that obstetric violence is not an anomaly but part of a broader socio-medical regime of disciplining women’s bodies. The study concludes that recognising and politically articulating birth experiences is essential for advancing women’s reproductive rights and dignity within the healthcare system.
This paper analyses the phenomenon of digital symbolic violence on the OnlyFans platform, with particular emphasis on hypersexualised content and the role of patriarchal-capitalist structures in its production. In recent times, there has been a growing exploitation of the female body promoted through digital platforms. Concern about the harmful impact of such phenomena, as well as the potential for change through education and increased awareness of misogynistic stereotypes, serves as the primary motivation for investigating the issues surrounding OnlyFans. OnlyFans is a platform that enables direct interaction between creators and audiences, thereby opening space for the analysis of numerous socio-cultural and power-related questions. This research aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics between digital platforms, sexual objectification, and power, as well as to shed light on how patriarchal-capitalist systems shape women‘s experiences on these platforms. The paper is based on an analysis of media-published interviews with content creators, focusing on their perceptions of promoting explicit material and on the intersection between freedom of expression and the exploitation of women‘s bodies within the contemporary social context. The methodological framework includes a qualitative analysis of publicly available media texts and interviews. The theoretical framework of this study is grounded in an interdisciplinary approach that integrates feminist theory, media and communication studies, social psychology, and critical theory of capitalism.
Domestic violence remains a serious problem with profound human rights implications. This requires states to have effective legal and institutional frameworks to protect victims and prevent future abuse. This article analyses the state's obligations in the prevention of domestic violence in light of the findings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). It is focused on the legislative and policy measures taken in Bulgaria. By analysing case law, comparing legal positions and citing appropriate secondary sources, the analysis outlines the evolution of ECtHR standards regarding state responsibility in domestic violence cases. The article examines reforms in Bulgarian law, particularly those following several high-profile cases that have sparked public debate and engendered pressure for more effective protection measures. Despite significant progress, considerable challenges related to institutional coordination and services for victims are still there. This paper highlights that a proactive, coordinated, and victim-centred approach is needed both to ensure compliance with ECtHR standards and increase the effectiveness of national mechanisms aimed at combating domestic violence.
Gender-based violence is a serious and widespread problem despite continuous efforts to eradicate it or at least significantly reduce it. Although strategies to combat and prevent this violence are continuously improved, major challenges remain, especially in raising awareness and improving access to support for victims. The primary objective of this paper is to explore how trauma-informed (TI) principles can be meaningfully integrated into Serbia's victim protection system by identifying key obstacles, evaluating existing initiatives, and proposing realistic reform directions. The paper identifies concrete shortcomings in Serbia's victim protection system, including the lack of clear procedures, the absence of structured professional training, and weak coordination among institutions involved in victim support. The findings show that trauma-informed models, when contextually adapted, can improve institutional responses and reduce the risk of secondary victimisation. Instead of offering broad normative proposals, the paper outlines a set of practice-oriented recommendations aligned with Serbia's institutional realities.
The rapid advancement of modern technology has facilitated the commission of various types of unlawful acts. The revolution in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) has made this technology widely accessible, significantly increasing the risk of its misuse. Voice cloning, as one of the capabilities of AI, poses a serious threat to both individuals and organisations. By imitating the biometric characteristics of another person‘s voice, it becomes possible to disseminate false information, deceive security systems, and even commit criminal offences under someone else‘s identity. The growing capabilities of artificial intelligence underscore the need to verify the authenticity of audio recordings before conducting forensic analysis. Therefore, this paper aims to highlight the possibilities of detecting fake audio recordings created using artificial intelligence through a review of the available literature. Existing research suggests that it is possible to reliably determine the authenticity of a speaker’s voice using the auditory-spectrographic method, which remains the predominant technique in voice and speech forensics. This approach enables the prevention or timely detection of voice and speech cloning attempts, thereby protecting potential victims from the potentially severe consequences of undetected falsification. It is essential that voice and speech experts are guided by these findings in their efforts to ensure the reliability of the evidence entrusted to them for expert analysis, and consequently, the outcome of the investigation.
Rape remains one of the most concerning crimes against women in India, with numbers continuing to rise every year. It is not just a crime against the victim but an offence against society. There are many myths about this crime which warrant a study. This study aims to understand whether there are differences in how males and females perceive rape myths. It is hypothesised that there might be a slight difference in the acceptance of rape myths between the two genders. This assumption is based on the fundamental understanding of gender roles and the societal status each gender holds. These stark and contrasting expectations of gender roles have contributed to typical behaviours and beliefs, which influence their acceptance of rape myths. The findings of the study reveal that, in most cases, males had a negative view of women and often accepted rape myths that blamed the woman. Additionally, it was found that males were more likely to agree with beliefs that did not hold men accountable for their acts of rape.
The paper examines the justification for using the term “obstetric violence” and emphasises the significance of recognising this type of gender-based violence. It further analyses practices in maternity wards in Serbia based on several previously conducted studies, comparing them with the current recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in this field. The WHO highlights the importance of a positive childbirth experience for both the mother and the child, emphasizing the active role of the mother and her natural potential in achieving a quality delivery. The paper presents comparative data, focusing particularly on the use of epidural anaesthesia as a recommended practice and the application of a group of interventions (episiotomy, induction, Kristeller manoeuvre) that are almost routinely performed in Serbian maternity wards but are not recommended as routine interventions by the WHO. The analysis of research findings conducted in Serbia points to the need for improving protocols and humane care related to childbirth, as well as the necessity of more comprehensive promotion of a childbirth model that ensures safety while respecting patients’ rights and dignity, including women’s specific reproductive rights.
In this paper, the results of research on the recognition of certain aspects of family violence against children aged three to seven from kindergarten teachers in the preschool institution ?Children's Joy? of Novi Sad, as well as its importance for the protection of this category of children. The research aimed to determine the accuracy of their success in recognition of forms of family violence on children, symptoms of neglect, symptoms/consequences of psychological violence, as well as ways of detection and situations in which they denounce violence according to the regulations of binding national documents. The questions are formulated to follow the provisions of the two national protocols. The sample consisted of 100 kindergarten teachers, out of which 40% had professional experience working with this category of children. Symptoms of neglect and psychological violence were correctly recognised by kindergarten teachers (frequencies ranged from 50-94%, depending on the specific symptom). However, it showed that variable professional experience working with children who were victims of domestic violence was not significantly relevant for knowledge of provisions in national protocols (values of ?2 test were not statistically significant). It is possible that methodological restrictions (sample size and its characteristics, online data collection ) could have influenced the results, as well as some other variables that were not taken into account in this research.
