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More protection against domestic violence. The Act adopted by the Sejm

13.01.2023

The Sejm completed the work on the act changing the definition of family violence – into domestic violence. This definition has also been extended to include economic and digital violence, but not only. – The changes introduced serve to better protect the family, victims of domestic violence as well as its witnesses – says Anna Schmidt, Deputy Minister of Family and Social Policy and Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment. Now, the Act will go to the Senate.

More protection against domestic violence. The Act adopted by the Sejm

This is the final straight. The lower house of the Parliament completed the work on the Act amending the Act on counteracting family violence and some other acts. Now, the Act will go to the Senate.

Three years ago, we introduced the legislation allowing to immediately isolate perpetrators of violence from victims of violence. Today, we are going one step further. We are changing the definition of family violence into domestic violence, and we are also extending it to include economic or digital violence. We want to adapt the legislation to the changing reality, and first of all to increase the protection of victims of domestic violence and its witnesses – says Anna Schmidt, Deputy Minister of Family and Social Policy and Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment.

What else will be changed?

  • The project extends the group of persons subject to protection to include ex-partners who do not live together and children who witness domestic violence.
  • A standard of basic services provided by specialist support centres for victims of domestic violence will be established
  • The legislation on the qualifications of managers of specialised support centres for victims of domestic violence will be clarified.
  • Changes regarding the work of interdisciplinary teams and existing working groups that operate in municipalities will be introduced.

Penalties for non-cooperation for perpetrators of violence

If a person using domestic violence evades taking measures aimed at changing their behaviour – in particular by non-cooperation with a diagnostic and support group – the interdisciplinary team will submit a notification of committing a new offence punishable by a fine of up to PLN 5 thousand or a restriction of liberty for 1 month.

The new solutions are to enter into force 3 months after being published in the Journal of Laws.

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