site.btaChief Inspector Shumanova: Lack of National Coordination Mechanism Hinders Overall Work on Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is an extremely serious problem in Bulgarian society, which very often remains within the family. For more than 17 years, the Ministry of Interior has had a leading role in preventing domestic violence and improving inter-institutional interaction and cooperation between different state institutions and representatives of the non-governmental sector. This is what Chief Inspector Zornitsa Shumanova, National Coordinator for Domestic Violence in the Ministry of Interior, told BTA.

Last year, 2,551 domestic violence reports were filed, which is 52% more than the number of reports in 2023 (1,681). “For us this is a sign that more and more people trust the institutions and seek help and support,” she said.

“The changes made to the Protection from Domestic Violence Act following the “Debora” case are good and timely. Statistics show it best. What is worse is that the law has not been implemented in its entirety. We still do not have a Coordination Mechanism ready and adopted, the National Information System for Prevention and Protection from Domestic Violence is not ready,” Zornitsa Shumanova commented.

In her words, the lack of a Coordination Mechanism at the national level hinders the comprehensive and thorough work on domestic violence. Very often, police officers on the ground become psychologists and lawyers, she added.

“To have quality protection for victims of domestic violence, a comprehensive concept of where and from whom the victim can get help and support is needed. The victim usually seeks assistance from the Ministry of Interior, starts wandering between NGOs, files protection papers in court, seeks help from social services, etc. My personal opinion is that centres should be set up where a victim can receive help and support in one place. We do not need to take them from institution to institution. Secondary victimization is not advisable, even absolutely unacceptable,” the Chief Inspector stressed.