site.btaOver BGN 6.2 Mln to Go into Fight with Domestic Violence by End of 2026

The measures included in the National Programme for Prevention and Protection against Domestic Violence in the 2024-2026 period will cost BGN 6.2 million, almost all of which will be provided by the state budget. A total of BGN 450,000 are allocated to this end for 2024, the Government Information Service said Tuesday.

The National Programme was adopted by the National Council for Prevention and Protection against Domestic Violence on Tuesday, chaired by caretaker Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova. The document was developed based on proposals made by interested parties. To enter into force, it needs to be adopted by the Council of Ministers.

The biggest amount of resources in the three-year National Programme are allocated for prevention of aggression at home. Trainings will be organized for all professional groups who encounter the problem. By the end of the period, hundreds of teachers, social workers, medical professionals, municipal councillors, and police officers are expected to be able to prevent domestic violence, recognize faster not only the cases of aggression but also the risk of such, as well as to react adequately with measures for the protection of potential and real victims. Special emphasis is placed on work with children, pupils, and students.

The National Programme also puts an emphasis on the preparation of lawyers, judges, prosecutors, and investigators for work on domestic violence cases.

Envisaged are resources for the maintenance of the existing mobile app Help Me. Grant aid will be allocated for social, psychological, and legal consulting, for procedural representation and for specialized programmes for recovery and protection of victims or witnesses of aggression at home placed at protected accommodation. Municipalities will continue to maintain the existing 31 crisis centres in the country, where a total of 348 women and children victims of domestic violence or trafficking can be accommodated. 

The State will fund specialized programmes for social and psychological work with domestic violence perpetrators for overcoming aggression and anger management.