site.bta284 Domestic Violence Cases Registered in March, Most in Sofia

A total of 284 crimes related to domestic violence were registered across Bulgaria in March, the General Directorate National Police said in its monthly report on Thursday. 

Sofia recorded the highest number with 57 cases, followed by Burgas (on the Black Sea) with 36, Plovdiv (South Central Bulgaria) with 24, and Varna (on the Black Sea) with 20. The lowest figures were in Haskovo (South Central Bulgaria) and Kardzhali (Southern Bulgaria), with just one case each.

Nearly 200 of the incidents resulted in bodily harm. In 39 cases, restraining orders were violated, and 45 involved threats made against the victim. Sofia and Burgas again led with the highest number of bodily harm cases – 45 and 25, respectively. No such reports were filed in Haskovo.

Sofia also topped the list for protection order violations with six cases, followed by Vratsa and Plovdiv with five each. Burgas registered the most threats with seven, followed by Sofia with six, Vratsa with five, and Haskovo and Blagoevgrad with four each.

There were no reported fatalities resulting from domestic violence during the month, police data show.

Among the perpetrators identified in March, 11 were women. Of those, four caused bodily harm and six violated protection orders.

Police solved 167 cases during the month, 115 of which involved bodily harm. Two of the perpetrators were underage. The majority, 78 individuals, were over the age of 40.

Compared to February, solved cases increased by 12. A total of 272 domestic violence incidents were registered that month, with Burgas reporting the most (53), followed by Sofia (45). Police solved 155 cases in February.