Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Domestic violence - a hidden pandemic in the days of Covid-19

Photo: bgfundforwomen.org

According to the European Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the WHO, one in three women is a victim of violence, and since the beginning of anti-epidemic measures and isolation, the situation has deteriorated in many homes. The organizations that manage the hotlines for victims of violence report an increase in signals by about 30%, and according to the Prosecutor's Office of Bulgaria there has been a threefold increase in cases of domestic violence in Bulgaria in 2021.

Domestic violence is a hidden pandemic that has long taken over many homes in Bulgaria and is different from that caused by the coronavirus, experts warn. The cases of injured women and children who are currently seeking support are much more severe and require immediate help and protection. In this regard, the Bulgarian Women's Fund has launched a charity campaign "The Invisible First Line" in support of crisis and counseling centers in Bulgaria, which are at the forefront in the fight against domestic violence. They are only 17 for the whole country, and the services they provide are systematically underfunded.

Compiled by Gergana Mancheva

English version Rositsa Petkova



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Elhovo celebrates 100 years since its declaration as a town

President Rumen Radev was a guest at the Elhovo holiday and the celebration of 100 years since its declaration as a town, BTA reported. According to the head of state, the border town of Elhovo "is today a place with spirit and traditions, with..

published on 3/29/25 5:53 PM

Divers kick off the diving season near the town of Kiten

Divers from Burgas' Friends of the Sea association opened the diving season . With the water temperature at seven degrees , they made their traditional spring dive along the coast of Kiten, where underwater remains include ancient artefacts and even a..

published on 3/29/25 9:05 AM

Bulgaria switches to summer time - how will it affect us?

On the night of Saturday to Sunday (30 March), at 3am, we need to move the clock forward one hour - to 4am. This will give us an hour less sleep on that particular night, but in the long run we will be able to make better use of daylight, which should..

published on 3/29/25 7:40 AM