Family violence in Armenia is often latent in nature - Deputy  Minister

ArmInfo. Family violence in Armenia is often latent nature.  Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Arpine Sargsyan stated on February 7 from the rostrum of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia,  speaking about the amendments presented by a group of MPs  to "On  preventing domestic violence and protecting the rights of victims of  domestic violence and restoring peace in the family."

According to the deputy minister, an effective fight against domestic  violence can be carried out in three cases: the formation of a  legislative framework, endowing police officers with appropriate  powers and the development of a civil society system. Sargsyan noted  that in one case, a participant in family disputes can be brought to  administrative liability, in another - to criminal liability, and in   a third one- no charge at all.  The Deputy Minister said that if in   2021 1,644 cases of domestic violence were registered in the  country, then in 2023 this figure was already 1,819 cases. As a  result of these violations, in 2021 a warning was issued against 528  persons, and in 2023- 551. In 2021, a decision was made to take  urgent measures in relation to 554 persons; in 2023, this number  increased by almost 300 cases (832 cases). However, as Sargsyan  emphasized, these figures cannot indicate the real state of affairs.

The draft law is discussed on February 7 at the plenary session of  the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. According to the  co-author of the document, MP Zaruhi Batoyan, the bill is aimed at  increasing the protection of citizens from domestic violence and  overcoming its consequences. In particular, it is proposed that  children who have witnessed family disagreements should also be  considered victims of violence. In addition, it is proposed to  establish free or discounted medical care instead of providing  primary care. It is also proposed to expand the list of aggravating  circumstances.