Domestic violence victims to be protected by law

Within three months, the Government shall submit proposals to the Parliament to bring the legislation in line with the provisions of the Law on Prevention and Combating of Domestic Violence, published in the latest issue of the Official Gazette (Monitorul Oficial). The law is due to take effect in six months after publishing, Info-Prim Neo reports. The law establishes the legal and organizational framework in preventing and combating domestic violence, names the authorities empowered to carry out such activities, and sets out the procedure of informing about and solving cases of domestic violence. The provisions of this law relate to physical violence, as well as sexual, psychological, spiritual and economic abuse. Subjects of domestic violence are the abuser and the victim, whether citizens of Moldova or foreigners and stateless persons established in Moldova. The law applies to married couples and divorced couples sharing one residence, domestic partners, minors under tutorship or guardianship, persons related by blood, marriage or adoption. In the case of persons that have separate residences, subjects of domestic violence are considered to be abused spouses, their children, including adoptive and children born outside marriage, or placed under tutorship or guardianship. The law guarantees protection to victims of domestic violence. A complaint about the perpetration of acts of domestic violence may be filed by the victimized person and family members, as well as authorities or other persons possessing information about the perpetration of such acts. Complaints may be filed with the internal affairs bodies, courts, social assistance and family protection institutions, and with the local authorities. The submitted complaint shall be forwarded to the competent authority within one working day. The court shall issue within 24 hours from the receipt of the complaint a protection ordinance, which will offer assistance to the victim and impose sanctions on the abuser. The aggressor may be forced to temporarily leave the shared residence, to be prohibited from contacting with the victim, to stay away from the victim, and to undergo treatment or behavior correction programs. In the case of perpetration of acts of domestic violence containing the elements of an administrative offense or another offense or crime, the legislation in effect shall be applied, regardless of the establishment of counteraction measures. In addition, disputes related to domestic violence may be subject to mediation, if the parties involved consent. The government authority empowered to promote policies in areas of domestic violence prevention and provision of social assistance to victims is the Ministry of Social Protection, Family and Child. Other authorities vested with powers to prevent and combat domestic violence are the specialized central and local government agencies, commissions on social issues, centers providing rehabilitation services to victims and abusers. The Law on Prevention and Combating of Domestic Violence was adopted by the Moldovan Parliament on 1 March 2007 and promulgated by presidential decree on 11 March 2008.