Domestic Violence in Moldova - The Advocates for Human Rights

[Then] the other woman grabbed an empty glass bottle . . . and began beating meover the head with it. Each time I tried to get out of the car, my husband blockedthe way and pushed me back in. 70The only time the woman contacted the police was after the assault described above. Shedid not want her husband to be jailed, however, and the case was never prosecuted.Women withdraw cases of domestic violence after complaining to the police for avariety of reasons. These women may fear breaking up the family and being on theirown. In the current economic climate, they may be unable to support themselves andtheir children alone. They may face pressures from their families or husbands. The lackof societal or legal support for victims of domestic violence often leaves women withlittle recourse but to remain in abusive relationships and keep the abuse to themselves.In those cases in which victims of domestic violence do turn to the authorities,they are first seen by the police. A police chief informed Minnesota Advocates that hisofficers see an average of five to eight “quarrels” a month that involve hitting, in adistrict presently numbering approximately 130,000. 71 A review of the police case filesin this district showed that the police may not always accurately register cases ofdomestic violence. For example, according to police files, between November 18 andDecember 19, 1999, there were 21 reported cases with female victims. Of these, twowere clearly cases of domestic violence, two others were classified as suicide attemptsand 11 were recorded as suspicious falls or accidents but may have, in fact, beenincidents of domestic violence. 72Another Yerevan police chief in charge of a district of lower economic statusagreed that domestic violence is a major problem. In his district, 20 out of 80 registered“problem families” were involved in violence, of which only five cases actually went tocourt. 73 “Problem families” are generally defined as families prone to causingdisturbances through drunkenness and “quarreling.”Workers at the emergency police line, called the “02” line, 74 also receive domesticviolence calls. The head of public relations for the emergency police line, a part of theMinistry of Internal Affairs, said the line receives calls almost every day from womenwho have been beaten. He added that he believes the actual rate of domestic violence is70 Interview, May 25, 2000 (victim, Yerevan).71 Interview, February 22, 2000 (police chief, Yerevan).72 Id.73 Interview, May 25, 2000 (police chief, Yerevan).74 The “02” line is routed only to the police. Calls to the ambulance service, “03,” and the firedepartment, “01,” are directed through separate lines.Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, Domestic Violence in Armenia, December 2000 15