The history of intimidation of and violence against women, within the family in Serbia, has deep-seeded roots in the past. The violent treatment of women has been woven into the foundations of society and is the result of a variety of historical, cultural, political and other factors. Violence against women originates from a patriarchal, unequal power relation between men and women. Founded on man's domineering position and having the function of control over women, domestic violence was more widespread in Serbia in the past, primarily characteristic of the rural but also of the urban environment. Daily life was marked by the superiority of men which resulted in unequal gender relations. An analysis of the phenomenon of domestic violence against women in Serbia and the historical legacy of it are the focal points of the analysis presented in this paper. The subordination of women, which had been legally based until 1945, was conducive to such relationships where the use of force was common. Preserved tradition, the existing models and patterns of behavior, as well as the overall position of women, was the framework for the emergence of violent behavior towards women. Many of the traditional sayings, which will be particularly indicated, testify to the practice and the use of acceptable force by a husband against his wife and the spiritual patriarchal culture of the region which approved it. Domestic violence was still invisible in the socialist state, shrouded in privacy. Domestic violence eluded social control, and the practice of female subordination to men stubbornly resisted the modernization processes and legislation. Manifestations of violence against women in Serbia, forms of expression, as well as the attitude of the state toward it during the second half of the twentieth century and the transition period is also presented in this paper.

Serbia, patriarchy, violence against women, domestic violence, subordination of women