Violence in all its forms today is globally perceived as a violation of basic human rights such as the right to life, the right to personal freedom, the right to personal integrity (physical and mental), the right to personal dignity, the right not to be subjected to torture or other degrading treatment, the right to non-discriminatory treatment, etc. Violence against women as part of the wider problem of violence in interpersonal relationships is also a drastic violation of these rights, the protection and respect of which is also committed to the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria.
Violence against women can be defined in this sense as: "a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women and means all acts of gender-based violence that result or are likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological or economic disability or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life'. This definition considers violence against women as gender-based violence, that is, arising from gender inequality and different gender roles/expectations. Women are the main victims of gender-based violence. It can manifest itself as causing physical or psychological suffering; sexual violence (including rape, sexual harassment); forced marriage; trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation; forced prostitution; gender discrimination; domestic violence; etc. This is why the terms "gender-based violence" and "violence against women" are often used interchangeably.
This report aims to offer an overview and analysis of key definitions of violence against women, its forms and types, its causes, as well as approaches to dealing with this problem through the prism of the existing legal framework and practices of working with the victims themselves and perpetrators. The international experience was briefly reviewed, in the context of which the Bulgarian one was also put and analyzed. In its final part, the report includes proposals for changes at the level of legislation, practice, financing and approach to the development of programs and services for the benefit of victims, to make these programs and services more effective, accessible and sustainable. Analytical reports, research results, WHO materials, normative documents and academic materials were used for its preparation.
"This document was created with the financial support of the Active Citizens Bulgaria Fund under the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area. All responsibility for the content of the document is borne by the DA Foundation and the consortium of organizations under the project, and under no circumstances can it be assumed that this document reflects the official opinion of the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area and the Operator of the Active Citizens Bulgaria Fund.