Domestic violence

Ljubljana – Murder or attempted murder charges more than doubled in Slovenia in 2020 compared to 2019. Last year marked the first time the country saw three triple murders in a single year, all of them being domestic homicides. The trend appears to be continuing this year.

Notwithstanding changing times and crises, domestic violence statistics remains worrying. Perhaps unsurprisingly, over the past year, this social phenomenon has been talked about as an "epidemic in the pandemic."

A new social solidarity movement has been launched for women who are subjected to domestic violence and have limited access to technological devices.

The motto of the campaign, initiated by Teknosa, the Sabancı Foundation and the Federation of Women's Associations (TKDF), is "technology for women, solidarity for all."

Violence against health care workers is still a major issue in the country amid the ongoing pandemic despite legal measures taken by authorities to prevent it, according to a new report by a labor union of health care workers.

There is a silent and invisible pandemic developing alongside the COVID-19 one, as cases of domestic violence against women spiked worldwide during lockdowns to contain the newly-discovered coronavirus. This was a comparison often made and a concern often raised by international and regional organizations, civil society organizations and state authorities.

Women across Turkey marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25, highlighting that 354 women have been killed so far since the start of the year and how the pandemic conditions had left many trapped with their abusers at home.

Over 3 out of 10 women have been victims of domestic violence during the first lockdown in Greece, according to an online survey requested by the Citizen Protection Ministry and the Center for Security Research, and presented at an online discussion on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Wednesday.

Ljubljana/Velenje – Ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed on Wednesday, Slovenia called for ending violence against women. Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina said that raising awareness about such efforts is key, noting that Covid-19 has led to a rise in domestic violence.

Women protesters wearing face masks as they hold placards reading: 'We don't want to die' at a rally for the 'prevention of violence against women' in Istanbul, Turkey, November 22. Photo: EPA-EFE/SEDAT SUNA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) welcomes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, reiterating its "firm" commitment to promoting and protecting women's rights, and to continuing the fight to eradicate all forms violence against women and girls.