MP: There should be no shame in talking about domestic violence; it is shameful to justify violence.

ArmInfo. October 1st is celebrated in Armenia as Domestic Violence Day. Zaruhi Batoyan, a member of the ruling Civil Contract faction, reminded the audience of this today at a meeting of the RA National Assembly Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs. She presented amendments to the law "On the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence and the Protection of Persons Subjected to Domestic and Family Violence" and a package of accompanying documents in the first reading.

According to Zaruhi Batoyan, there is no shame in talking about domestic and family violence, reporting instances of such violence, or calling law enforcement. It is shameful to justify violence.

It is worth noting that one of the key proposals is to make domestic and family violence a separate offense in the Criminal Code, establishing independent liability. Furthermore, it is proposed to classify all cases of domestic and family violence as cases of public prosecution. This means that the initiation of criminal proceedings will not depend on a statement or complaint from the victim. The possibility of reconciliation between the parties in such cases is proposed to be eliminated. The package also provides for restrictions on repeated interrogations of victims, a ban on house arrest in cases where the victim and accused reside together, and electronic monitoring of compliance with special protective measures.

It is also proposed to change the approach to protecting victims of violence: if it is impossible to ensure the safety of the victim by other means,

as a rule, it is not the victim who should be removed from the shared residence, but the perpetrator of violence.

Furthermore, it is proposed to make the use of body cameras mandatory for police officers when responding to cases of violence. This will allow for the recording of evidence and simultaneously strengthen oversight of the actions of police officers.

It should be noted that following discussions in the National Assembly commission, it was decided to postpone consideration of the presented package for two months.