STATEMENT from the Foundation "Positive Personality Skills in Society" on a draft Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence, published for public consultation on 20.06.2022 at www.strategy.bg
As an organization registered for public benefit and working for more than 23 years on prevention programs and direct services for persons and children affected by violence, trafficking and other risk groups, The Foundation "Positive Personal Skills in Society" declares its support FOR the acceptance of the proposed Draft Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence.
With the draft Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence, it is proposed to expand its scope by including the programs and specialized services for the protection of persons who have suffered from domestic violence; determining the objectives of the law, partially expanding the circle of persons who can seek protection under this law; optimization of proceedings for the imposition of measures to protect against domestic violence in the direction of speed, effective law enforcement and creation of guarantees to protect the interests of the victims, especially when it comes to women and children, as well as the creation of legal norms for the involvement of executive bodies authority and social services with a view to creating conditions for the implementation of programs for the prevention and protection of victims of violence, as well as the specialized services and the responsibility of the state to carry out coordination, monitoring and evaluation in relation to the implementation of policies and measures in the field of the prevention and counteraction of domestic violence.
We consider that The Draft Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence is an important tool to bring about urgent legal changes to achieve more comprehensive protection for victims of violence, as well as the prevention, prosecution, and eradication of domestic violence. The changes in the Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence are necessary in order to create a comprehensive framework, policies and measures for the protection and assistance of all victims of domestic violence.
As an organization that has the expertise and works on the territory of the entire country and on a European scale for the prevention and fight against violence against persons and children in all its forms, including domestic violence, we share the changes proposed in the law regarding the effective implementation of measures to protect the rights of victims of violence. Of particular importance is the creation of mechanisms for the commitment of the state together with non-governmental organizations to eliminate domestic violence, as well as support and help the victims and develop preventive programs, including specialized programs for working with perpetrators of domestic violence.
Read our full statement here /available in Bulgarian only/