Moldova to expand protection for victims of violence
Violence against women committed through digital technologies or electronic communication will be criminalised under a new legislative proposal currently under public consultation in Moldova.
The draft law also aims to extend the duration of protective measures: protection orders for victims may be prolonged from three to six months, while emergency restraining orders for offenders could be extended from ten to twenty days. These measures would apply to cases involving both sexual and digital violence.
The proposal further seeks to classify femicide as a criminal offence and introduces penalties for forced marriage. A key provision also requires the state to cover all expenses related to judicial assessments, including medical and psychological evaluations in cases involving violence.
Participants in the consultations recommended the inclusion of new legal concepts, such as victim isolation and intimidation, as well as a more precise list of offences that justify protective measures. They also called for amendments to the Criminal and Civil Procedure Codes and a revision of the definition of femicide to ensure legal clarity and enforceability.
The draft law was developed by a group of Members of Parliament in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prevention and Combat of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence. The public consultations were organized by the Parliamentary Women’s Platform of the 11th legislature and brought together MPs, representatives of responsible institutions, NGOs, and international organisations.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
