On June 17, 2009, the Bulgarian Council of Ministers approved several draft amendments to the Bulgarian Law on Protection against Domestic Violence. In summary, the amendments extend the definition of domestic violence to include emotional and economic violence, and state that domestic violence committed in the presence of a child is considered to be psychological and emotional violence against the child itself. The amendments also broaden the scope of those in an intimate relationship; for example, the partner of the parent of a (potential victim) child would be included in the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence.The amendments authorize only the victim to apply to the court for an Order for Protection if the victim is over age 14, and allow an immediate family member, guardian, or the Director of the Directorate “Social Assistance” to apply to the court for protection for a minor or disabled person.
The proposed amendments also extend the validity of the Order for Protection to 18 months from one year, and include an explicit ban for the violent offender to approach the victim. And, beginning in January of 2010, a special line item in the budget of the Ministry of Justice would fund NGO programs for victim support and other activities such as training police and monitoring legislation.
It is expected that the new government and new National Assembly, which will be in place after the national elections on 5 July 2009, will support, approve, and adopt the changes.