The number of registered cases of domestic violence in Ukraine has increased by almost 80% compared to last year.
This was reported during the national marathon by Iryna Shurkhno, Head of the Department for Combating Domestic Violence at the Prosecutor General's Office.
According to her, to date, 8185 criminal offences related to domestic violence have been registered, and more than 5,000 people have been affected, most of whom are women and children.
Iryna Shurkhno noted that in times of war, the problem of domestic violence can be exacerbated. However, the increase in the number of calls indicates that people's trust in law enforcement is growing.
Law enforcement officers actively cooperate with state and municipal specialised support services, as well as NGOs, to provide comprehensive assistance to victims: medical, social, psychological and legal, as well as temporary shelter in a shelter, crisis room or other centre.
However, often those who suffer from domestic violence do not recognise the seriousness of the situation. Many victims continue to live with their abuser and do not seek help, as they consider violence to be a personal problem. However, concealing such cases can lead to more serious consequences.
It is noted that the Prosecutor General has identified combating domestic violence as one of the priority areas for law enforcement agencies. The main goal is to protect victims, ensure accountability for the perpetrator and prevent re-traumatisation during criminal proceedings.