site.btaDaily Cases of Domestic Violence Continue, Capacity of Support Centres for Victims Not Exhausted, Social Policy Minister Says

The figures show that there are available places in the support centers for victims of domestic violence, despite the fact that we see daily cases of violence, Social Policy Minister Borislav Gutsanov explained during Friday's Question Time in response to a question from BSP - United Left MP Nina Dimitrova.

As of December 2024, there are 13 crisis centers in the country, designated by the state, which can accommodate 161 individuals, of which 72 spots are currently filled. Additionally, 20 centers for children are available, with a total capacity for 212 users, of which 105 spots are occupied. In 12 "Mother and Baby" units, designed for 75 individuals, 61 spots are filled. The capacity of 188 community support centers is for 8,904 individuals, providing assistance to 9,597 children and their families, according to the Minister's report. He suggested that the unoccupied spaces might be due to the fact that victims of violence are reluctant to acknowledge this issue. Gutsanov advocated for a crisis center to be available in every regional city.

The institutions must work in sync to ensure peace for the victims of violence and those seeking protection from the State, the Social Minister further commented.

During the parliamentary control, Gutsanov also spoke on the topic of the demographic situation. In response to a question from Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria MP Elisaveta Belobradova about the fertility rate, Gutsanov stated that Bulgaria is suffering from a "demographic catastrophe." The Minister cited data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI), which shows that in 2023, 57,478 children were born in the country, of which 57,197 were live births. The fertility rate has been showing an upward trend in recent years, from 1.58 in 2021 to 1.81 in 2023, the minister announced. He also clarified that at the end of 2023, the number of women of childbearing age is decreasing.

In 2023, as a result of negative natural growth, without considering migration, the population of the country decreased by 43,809 people. This is roughly the size of a medium-sized city, the Minister noted.

The demographic situation in the country is also disrupted by the aging population and the mortality rate, Gutsanov explained. As measures to address these issues, he pointed to financial incentives for childbirth and child-rearing, family support, tax relief, broader use of flexible employment forms, and others.