- 1 in 3 Albanian women are victims of domestic violence,
- In 2007, the police received 274 reports of domestic violence.
- In 2009, 993 cases were reported by September.
- 11 women killed because of domestic violence in 2010
- In Tirana’s largest prison, 90% of the women were charged for murdering their husbands
- Useful to Albanian Women(UAQ) helps 12 women per week with counseling.
- The centers get 6 to 8 calls per week from women victims wanting help.
- The Forensics Institute in Tirana receives about 2 abuse cases every 24 hours, in order to help the police in abuse cases by determining the type of injury.
The Domestic Violence Law made a way to provide victims of family violence with a protection order, which may be granted by a civil court on the petition of a victim of such violence. The court must hear the petition within 15 days. There is also a provision for emergency (“immediate”) protection orders to be issued within 48 hours by a court, if the abuser presents a “direct and immediate threat to the security, health or well-being” of the victim. The court must hold a further session within 20 days to decide whether to prolong or terminate the order.
A protection order can include the following measures:
- The removal of the perpetrator from the house inhabited by the victim (regardless of the perpetrator’s property rights)
- Prohibiting the perpetrator from approaching within a certain distance of the victim or other family members
- Prohibiting the abuser from entering or staying in the temporary or permanent residence of the victim, or any part thereof,
- Placing women together with children in temporary shelters
- Ordering the abuser to participate in rehabilitation programmes.
- Violation of a protection order is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or up to two years’ imprisonment.
Courts are required to:
Send copies of a protection order, including emergency protection orders – within 24 hours of issue – to the victim, the police and social services.
Network Against Gender-Based Violence and Trafficking created a pilot referral system Berat, Pogradec, Shkodër, Rrëshen and Vlorë. In just over a 1 yr period 91% of the women/girls in these 5 areas were referred to the right organization. ( Sept. '08- Dec. '09)
The “Councils against Domestic Violence” includes government representatives, police, district prosecutors, court officials, health and education organizations, employment offices, and NGOs, who also provide training to relevant professionals.
domestic violence-- there was a thing that Albanian women had no voice and control over it. it is nice to know that today's society can talk and discuss their problems. I am an Albanian and just finished my college in America on Human Services and today I am working on Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse shelter. I read your facts laws, they need to add some more to it when it comes to PPO ( Personal Protection Order). women needs to feel protected and safe.
ReplyDeleteCongratulation and Good job