A recent analysis by the Gerontological Society of Serbia shows that 13.1% of women over 65 experienced financial abuse by close relatives in the past year, including pension confiscation, restrictions on property, and being made to feel like a burden.
Nataša Todorović, president of the Gerontological Society, says neglect is the most common form of abuse, affecting 24.2% of older women, with 65.5% of victims experiencing it daily.
Emotional abuse affects 16.2%, while financial exploitation impacts 13.1%. Perpetrators are most often partners (38.8%) and sons (26.9%).
Despite a decline in overall murders, older women remain highly vulnerable. In 2024, half of all female homicide victims in Serbia were over 65, highlighting the urgent need for legal reforms, social awareness, and protection measures to safeguard the lives and dignity of the elderly.
