University Clinic for Psychiatry: 101 patients sought help for domestic or partner violence in first seven months of 2026

The University Clinic for Psychiatry in Skopje has recorded a sharp increase in patients seeking help for psychological effects of domestic and intimate-partner violence. Clinic records show 101 cases were logged in the first seven months of 2026, compared with 79 cases for the entire 2025 calendar year.

Data, context and a high peak in spring

Professor Slavica Arsova presented the figures during her lecture “Forensic aspects of domestic violence: epidemiology, consequences for mental health and the therapeutic and forensic role of the psychiatrist” at the International Conference on Forensic Psychiatry 2026 in Ohrid. According to the clinic’s analysis, the largest monthly numbers in 2026 occurred in March (27 patients), April (23) and June (21).

The clinic notes that this surge coincided with a high-profile case in Skopje in which a mother and her child jumped from a balcony after prolonged family violence.

The study was a retrospective review of electronic health records in the “Moj Termin” system covering January 2025 through July 2026 for patients assigned diagnoses in the F43 category, which covers stress-related disorders.

“The lecture stressed that healthcare professionals should ask patients about their safety, provide a secure space, systematically document the type and duration of violence, and follow protocols for involving all relevant institutions. Recognition of violence is important for appropriate psychiatric support, risk assessment and connecting patients with necessary protection,” the clinic said.

Analyzed cases affected all age groups. The clinic reports an average patient age of 40 years; 19 patients were under 18 and 29 were over 60. Women were three times more likely than men to be recorded as patients in these cases.

The clinic’s findings sit alongside Ministry of Internal Affairs statistics showing reported incidents of domestic violence rose from 4,421 in 2022 to 5,436 in 2025. In 2025, the ministry’s categories most often identified victims as spouses (1,438), parents (1,000) and former partners (708). That year there were 1,195 criminal offences linked to domestic violence, compared with 1,117 in 2022.

Arsova cautioned that the clinic figures reflect recorded medical cases and do not necessarily prove a societal increase in violence. She said the rise could also reflect better recognition, improved documentation and more effective patient referrals to health services.

Photo: press material from the event