415 cases of domestic violence have been registered in Macedonia in the first six months. In most cases, they include physical violence, rarely physiological, while the percentage of physiological and sexual violence is insignificant. Family violence against men is on the rise - there are 62 cases in which men were abused by their spouses.

The number of registered cases in 2012 is mounting compared to 2011 when only 730 cases were reported throughout the year. This increase comes as a result of the raised awareness amongst domestic violence victims, according to Minister of Labour and Social Policy Spiro Ristovski.

A shelter center in Bitola was put into function on Thursday after it was renovated with UNDP funds.

At the moment, there are four shelter centers in Macedonia offering full protection to victims of family violence. They can be housed there for three months of longer and during that period measures are taken for victims to be better integrated into the society.