Andjela Milivojevic received the Bring the Noize Award on March 7, in Belgrade, for her investigation, “I Was Powerless’: Serbian Women Detail Devastating Impact of Revenge Porn”.
During this investigation, in interviews with BIRN, more than two dozen Serbian women told of the shock, fear and shame that struck them as victims of revenge porn. In Serbia, their legal avenues are limited.
The announcement of the award said: “Through months of dedicated work, journalist Andjela Milivojevic managed in her article to give the victims of revenge pornography back their power and provide a platform to speak loudly and anonymously about their experience. That’s why we’re giving her an award for feminist media reporting.”
“Thank you for the recognition for this research work because, unfortunately, right now, there are five groups on Telegram with over 50,000 members who share private photos of women and girls without their consent and see it as something to which they absolutely have the right. This is not a criminal offence in Serbia. What they do and can do to each of us is not a criminal act; each person can go unpunished,” Milivojevic said.
“Second, this recognition is a kind of incentive for all of us in the media to give a voice to all those girls and women who have gone through trauma. I want to thank, first of all, those women and girls who were so brave. Twenty-eight of them spoke to me for this research. They told me something that changed their lives,” she added.
“This recognition goes to them because they managed to bring this article to what it actually is by being so brave. At the same time, many thanks to BIRN for giving me the opportunity to write it. Thank you to my wonderful friends and family, and finally, thank you to my wonderful husband who was there to keep me sane during the six months I watched these disgusting things,” Milivojevic continued.
Since 2017, on March 8, International Women’s Day, BeFem’s recognition has been awarded to women and initiatives whose acts have marked the past year. While women’s and feminist achievements remain largely invisible in Serbia, the organisation recognises those who make strides for a fairer society.
BeFem’s award is widely recognised as an important feminist recognition.