Over 2020, more than 2,700 offenses were registered in Ukraine under the article of domestic violence, which is more than in 2019, Prosecutor General of Ukraine Iryna Venediktova said.
“During the year, more than 2,700 offenses were registered under the article on domestic violence (Article 126-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), last year it was 1,500. In 2020, some 1,700 proceedings were sent to the court with indictments versus 758 last year,” Venediktova wrote on Facebook.
In addition, Venediktova wrote that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has also become a catalyst for domestic violence.
“As a result of rising unemployment, self-isolation, and other reasons, the level of domestic violence in the country has increased, and the problem is in dire need of a solution,” she wrote.
She wrote that Ukraine should finally ratify the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. So, according to her, the main provisions of the Istanbul Convention on the criminalization of acts related to domestic violence have already been implemented in Ukrainian legislation and prosecutors, together with investigators, are actively prosecuting those who beat women and children.
“On average, one criminal proceeding of this category is investigated within only 30 days and then sent to court,” Venediktova wrote.
She also wrote that the UN urged Ukraine to accelerate the ratification of the Istanbul Convention.
“We need synergy on the way to creating a society free from violence,” the Prosecutor General wrote.
