2314 | 10 Dec. 2025 | 11:05

According to her words, the problem requires legislative changes, funding for services, training of specialists, and a change in public attitudes

 Domestic violence and violence against women is an urgent social problem that requires a consistent policy, stated Vice President Iliyana Yotova at the opening of the conference "Between Statistics and Reality: Domestic Violence in Bulgaria Beyond the Numbers", organized by the Bulgarian Fund for Women together with the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights.

 Yotova defined the situation with the acronym SMC, which according to her encapsulates the alarm and urgency of the problem, emphasizing that society and the state must take measures. The Vice President thanked the Bulgarian Fund for Women for their active work and initiatives.

 "The issue of violence against women and domestic violence is not personal and not only a women's issue", said Yotova, adding that with its catastrophic dimensions, it poses a threat to society. She focused on violence against children and aggression in schools, which she defined as a "second epidemic".

 The Vice President commented that the media only reflect cases of domestic violence in serious incidents, and that society has become accustomed to such news. She emphasized that behind the statistics are human fates and that almost everyone knows a woman who has experienced physical or psychological violence.

 Yotova stated that there is still a lack of consistent government policy, despite recommendations from international institutions, including the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights. She noted that the coordination mechanism for supporting victims of domestic violence was only adopted in November and expressed hope that it will lead to concrete actions.

 According to her, the problem requires legislative changes, funding for services, training for specialists, and a change in societal attitudes. She expressed concern that perpetrators often feel unpunished, while victims get trapped in legal cases. Yotova reminded of the lack of a registry of domestic violence cases and a national information system, as prescribed by law.

 The Vice-President drew attention to the lack of services and the need for a crisis center in every regional city, as well as the need for dignified pay for psychologists and social workers. She noted that working with victims requires preparation and cannot be done by just anyone.

 Yotova pointed out that non-governmental organizations are "on the front line" and often the most effective in helping victims. According to her, their experience should be taken into account when drafting laws and policies.

 Yotova congratulated the Minister of Justice, stating that he has "taken to heart" the issue and is among the first to open up the topic of domestic violence for public debate. She expressed hope that the active work towards establishing regional support centers will turn into real actions and emphasized the need for institutions to have sincere allies in this process.

 She placed emphasis on prevention, awareness, and exchange of good practices, including an example from a foreign country of codewords used by women during the pandemic. According to her, the widespread knowledge on the topic keeps the public conscience awake.

 Yotova underlined that victims often encounter disrespectful attitudes when reporting to law enforcement. She sent a message of support to "anonymous women" who hide their traumas and asked questions about the reasons for society and institutions to fail.

 In conclusion, she urged the victims to accept the extended hands of help towards them because "together we will always be stronger than violence."