25/05/2023 The National Assembly adopted at first reading two draft laws for amendments to the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence

25/05/2023

The National Assembly adopted at first reading two draft laws for amendments to the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence.
The draft law proposed by Kornelia Ninova (BSP for Bulgaria PG) and a group of MPs aims to provide rapid and effective protection, assistance and support to persons who are victims of domestic violence or at risk, as well as preventive and deterrent action to be exercised as regards the perpetrator of violence. The amendments extend the range of victims of domestic violence who can seek protection under the law and facilitate access to justice. They also expand the measures for protection from domestic violence and create a mechanism to prevent abuse of the law.
A national body is established to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the policies and measures to prevent domestic violence and to improve the interaction between the various state bodies and organisations involved in the problem. It is proposed to expand the number of prevention and protection programmes and to create the possibility of providing free legal aid in proceedings. It is also envisaged to establish and maintain a national information system and a national register of domestic violence cases.
The draft law by Boyko Borisov (GERB-UDF PG) and a group of MPs proposes expanding the scope of the law and increasing protection measures. Guarantees are created for the implementation of a consistent state policy in the field of domestic violence by coordinating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating policies and measures to prevent and combat domestic violence. The amendments propose defining the forms of violence and expanding the range of victims of domestic violence who may seek protection under this law, namely: persons entrusted with the care of children, persons who are related by blood or affinity up to the fourth degree, etc.
Access to justice is facilitated by providing that an application for the initiation of proceedings to issue a protection order shall be forwarded to the appropriate court within 24 hours of the victim's request. The draft law provides for the establishment of a national information system on cases of domestic violence carried out throughout the country, as well as mechanisms to prevent abuse of the law.