Surge in domestic violence cases sparks urgent calls for action in Armenia

The issue of family violence in Armenia has reached alarming proportions, with a significant surge in criminal cases reported in 2023, as revealed by the press service of the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

The number of criminal cases related to domestic violence nearly doubled in 2023 compared to the previous year, Caliber.Az reports citing Armenian media sources.  

In 2022, the Investigative Committee investigated 960 such cases, but by 2023, this figure had risen dramatically to 1,848 cases.

The escalation of cases was also reflected in the judiciary system, with a notable increase in cases heard in court. In 2022, the court received 122 proceedings involving 126 individuals, whereas in 2023, a total of 338 proceedings involving 349 accused were completed and sent to court.

Among the cases forwarded to court in 2023, the charges included murder (4 cases), attempted murder (4 cases), incitement to suicide (1 case), harm to health (43 cases), HIV infection (1 case), unlawful imprisonment (3 cases), sexual assault (3 cases), evasion of alimony payments (2 cases), and physical force (117 cases). Additionally, there were 105 cases related to crimes of a different nature.

A significant portion of the accused individuals (259) were identified as either the husband or wife of the victim, highlighting the prevalence of spousal violence in these instances. Furthermore, statistics indicated that the majority of victims (332) were adults.

Amidst these troubling statistics, efforts to address family violence continue, with 557 criminal proceedings terminated during 2023. Procedural actions were completed in 144 cases, while 14 criminal proceedings were sent for review. However, the investigation in 608 proceedings has been postponed until 2024, reflecting the complexities and challenges involved in addressing this pervasive issue.

The rise in reported cases underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to combat family violence in Armenia, including enhanced support services for victims, awareness campaigns, and stricter enforcement of laws aimed at preventing and prosecuting perpetrators of domestic abuse.