Raluca Maria Popa Center for Policy Studies/ CEU Monitoring the implementation of laws against domestic violence – the Romanian case and the regional context

The case of Romania  Who is monitoring: National Agency for the Protection of the Family (Law no. 217/2003 on preventing and combating violence in the family) NGOs (more comprehensive monitoring) International NGOs, foreign organizations, regional organizations (Council of Europe), international organizations (UN)

The case of Romania Monitoring provisions in the National Strategy for Preventing and Combating Violence in the Family ( ) Monitoring cases of domestic violence: creation of a nationally integrated system for reporting and recording cases of violence in the family.

The case of Romania NAPF statistics: Number of victims 2004: 8104 cases of violence in the family, 84 victims died 2005: 9537 cases of violence in the family, 169 victims died 2006: 9372 cases of violence in the family, 151 victims died First nine months of 2007: 6717 cases of violence in the family, 103 victims died.

The case of Romania NAPF statistics: Protection services: 49 shelters for victims of violence in the family (language!), which can receive up to 400 persons 3 counseling centers 4 centers for aggressors Two national hotlines: 021/983 and 112 (national emergency number)

The case of Romania  National Strategy for Preventing and Combating Violence in the Family ( ) National Agency for the Protecting the Family monitors the implementation of the national action plan for preventing and combating violence in the family at the national and at the local level. NAPF evaluates the implementation of the strategy and of all programs and projects in the area of preventing and combating domestic violence.

The case of Romania Monitoring by NGOs: National Coalition against Violence against Women – latest report from 2004 Association for the Promotion of Women in Romania: local monitoring of the implementation of Law 217/2003 – latest report from Concluded (then) the implementation at the local level is “delayed”.

The case of Romania Monitoring by foreign organizations:  2007 ABA CEELI Report “Domestic violence in Romania: the law, the court system” Concluded:  there is a “labyrinth of institutions” with competences in the field that “confuses victims and prevents an effective support system”  Law no. 217/2003 is “not enforceable”

The case of Romania CEDAW Monitoring  2006 Concluding Comments expressed “concern about the insufficient implementation of measures [against domestic violence]”  2006 Concluding Comments urged Romania “to enhance the effective enforcement of its domestic violence legislation”

The regional context  Council of Europe standards on effective implementation of measures for protection of women against violence (note: all types of violence)  2007 report “Protecting women against violence” (on the implementation of Recommendation Rec(2002)5 )

The regional context  UNIFEM-BGRF analysis (2007): Main findings: The most significant challenge for ending-violence work in Southeast Europe remains the gap between legal provisions and governmental commitments, under national strategies to promote gender equality and/ or combat domestic violence and their translation into concrete action and particularly into financial support and budgets to address domestic violence.  Report of consultation available online at:

What shall we monitor?  Implementation or impact? Very difficult to monitor impact: for ex., does increase in cases of DV mean an increase in DV or an increase in the no. of reported cases? However, important not to lose sight of the main goal: to decrease (eliminate?) the incidence of domestic violence.

Thank you! Raluca,