Domestic violence in the Republic of Moldova from medico-legal perspective

Abstract

Introduction: Domestic violence is one of the most widespread violations of human rights, having significant consequences on physical, mental, and reproductive health. In recent years, the Republic of Moldova has undertaken several initiatives aimed at reducing the incidence of domestic violence and violence against women, such as ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (2011), known as the Istanbul Convention. State institutions are expected to adjust their tools to meet the requirements of Article 11 of the Convention. Additionally, in the sixth report, CEDAW noticed that in terms of gender-based violence, the Republic of Moldova statistical data only cover certain forms of gender-based violence and are not disaggregated by sex, age, ethnicity, geographical location, disability, and the relationship between perpetrator and victim. In its first Baseline Evaluation Report for the Republic of Moldova GREVIO noted the Centre of Forensic Medicine annually collects and reports general statistical data on cases of domestic and sexual violence which are not disaggregated by the relationship between victim and perpetrator. Methods: The statistical analysis of domestic violence cases registered in the Republic of Moldova was conducted. Annual report 2023 of the Centre of Forensic Medicine was studied, and data were systemized and mathematically processed for each criterion and every district of the Republic of Moldova. Results: To comply with the requirements, in 2023, the Centre of Forensic Medicine adjusted its statistical form to the Convention’s requirements, CEDAW, and GREVIO’s Evaluation Report recommendations. During 2023, 3.857 victims of domestic violence were medico-legally examined in the Republic of Moldova, 76.02% of them were women and girls. The correlation between victims’ age and gender shows that children of both genders are equally victimized, while among adult victims women constitute 78.41%. Mostly, intimate partners (77.37%) acted as perpetrators, followed by other family members (14.22%) and parents (8.41%). As a residency, 54.88% of victims came from urban areas and 45.12% - from rural areas. Only 2.2% of victims were people with special needs, mainly (75.29%) adults. Conclusion: The Centre of Forensic Medicine in the Republic of Moldova is the only institution within the healthcare field that collects statistical data on domestic violence disaggregated according to the Istanbul Convention requirements. The adjustment of statistical form allowed the collection of statistical data on domestic violence disaggregated on victims’ gender, age, geographical location, disability, and relationship with the perpetrator for the first time. This information will contribute to the creation of a systemic sectoral and interdepartmental response aimed at ensuring the safety, prevention, and comprehensive examination of domestic violence cases based on a gender-based approach.