site.bta82% of Bulgarians Consider Domestic Violence Serious Social Issue, Survey Shows

A total of 82% of Bulgarians believe that domestic violence is a serious social issue, shows a poll conducted by the Trend polling agency and commissioned by the 24 Chasa daily. According to sociologists, society is highly sensitive to the issue.

The survey was conducted on January 17-24, 2024, among a sample of 1,016 people aged over 18 using a direct tablet interview method.

Four out of ten people in Bulgaria know someone who has been a victim of domestic violence. This was reported by nearly half of female respondents (48%). According to 18% of respondents, there are cases where domestic violence is justified, and 13% do not consider hitting, threatening, social isolation, or restriction of contact domestic violence.

Over two-thirds of respondents (69%) believe that some forms of aggression in the family are considered normal in society, and 11% believe that there are forms of domestic violence that can be justified.

A total of 48% of respondents say that family problems should be solved within the family itself. Men overwhelmingly support this statement, while a larger share of women disagree.

Bulgarians believe that the leading factors for violence include alcohol and drug abuse (81%), psychological problems (64%), and financial difficulties or dependency (60%).

The most widely recognized form of domestic violence is non-consensual sex. Seven percent of respondents, however, do not consider it a form of domestic violence.

According to 25% of respondents, insults, swearing, and threats are not a form of domestic violence.

One-quarter of respondents said that controlling your partner’s clothes is also not a form of domestic violence.

The survey found that some forms of aggression remain underestimated by a section of society. Twenty percent of respondents were of the opinion that acts of jealousy were a sign of love. According to 15%, it is normal to check your partner's phone, messages, and calls. More likely to agree with this were men and poorly educated people in general.

25% of respondents deem it unacceptable to maintain an opposite-sex friendship when you are engaged. Such conservative attitudes are more typical of men, people aged over 60, the poorly educated, and residents of small towns and villages.

The majority of respondents (55%) are reluctant or do not believe at all that the police and justice system in Bulgaria can tackle domestic violence. Their share is equal to the share of people who say they are not aware of the legal measures that can be undertaken in cases of domestic violence.