State transformed domestic violence into source of income for its budget, expert

The law on domestic violence combating is not efficient as it does not stipulate implementation mechanisms and, respectively, does not defend the victims, while the reports drawn up by police officers against persons who resort to violence in the family are an additional source of income for the state, said jurist and human rights expert of Promo-Lex Association Doina Straisteanu, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. “I consider the fine imposed on the attacker when the victim complains about domestic violence is only an additional source of income for the state budget. This fine is paid from the family's budget. It does not stop violence. On the contrary, the attacker becomes more violent after being reported to the police,” the jurist said. Doina Straisteanu stressed that neither the police, nor the social workers fulfill their obligation to implement the given law. “It is the police that should issue protection ordinances for the first 7-10 days, as in Austria. The attacker should be taken away from home if the act of violence is confirmed, while the state should open temporary places for attackers, where they will receive psychological treatment,” she said. The expert also said that many of the victims of domestic violence die and a part of the blame is borne by the police that do not try to prevent such cases. The police officers only write reports, but do not take care of the victim afterward. Doina Straisteanu stated that there was drafted a bill with amendments to the Penal Code and the Code of Administrative Offenses that are aimed at toughening up the punishment for domestic violence.