This is the act which has been awaited by various communities for a very long time – both by persons who experience or experienced violence, women, children, communities of non-governmental organisations and self-governments working on a daily basis with persons who suffer this violence but also with those who use this violence. And, naturally, by expert communities – stressed the Deputy Minister of Family and Social Policy, Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment, Anna Schmidt when presenting the project.

She pointed out that the draft contained many new provisions – inter alia, it extends the definition of domestic violence to include economic and digital violence. Moreover, it extends the group of persons covered by protection to include former partners who do not live together and children being witnesses of domestic violence.

The draft introduces a definition of „a person suffering domestic violence” and “a „person using domestic violence”, who – as it was proposed in the draft – should be understood both as a person using domestic violence and a person suspected of using such violence. It extends the group of persons covered by protection to include former partners who do not live together and children being witnesses of domestic violence. Also, a standard of basic services provided by specialist support centres for persons suffering domestic violence will be established.

The draft also clarifies the provisions on the qualifications of persons managing specialist support centres for persons suffering domestic violence. It was made possible to recognise their existing professional experience – it was indicated that these persons must have at least three years of seniority with regard to social assistance or in institutions carrying out tasks to counteract violence and must be specialised in the field of social assistance organisation.

The new solutions are to enter into force three months after being published in the Journal of Laws.