From May 1, 2023, the restraining order and risk assessment tool is operating as an updated version. A restraining order and risk assessment tool is a guarantee of protection against repeated violence against violence against women and domestic violence victims for the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The aim of the above mentioned changes is to increase the effectiveness of combatting violence against women and/or domestic violence and domestic crime and to create an even more effective mechanism for supervising the abuser.
It should be noted that from September 1, 2020, along with the issuance of the restraining order, the mechanism of electronic surveillance of the abuser was introduced to prevent the repeated violence. As a result, the approach of the abuser to the victim, victim’s house, victim’s workplace and other territories is being controlled in real time.
The process of changes was preceded by the evaluation of the mechanism for assessing the risks of the recurrence of violence by the experts from the NGO "Global Rights for Women" with the support of UN Women as well as workshops with representatives of the police units, non-governmental sector and public defender's office.
Based on the received recommendations, with the changes made in the above-mentioned document, the process of assessing the risks of the recurrence of violence will be more focused on the victim. The updated structured questionnaire will allow the authorized police officer to take effective measures to ensure the protection of the victim and the restriction of certain actions of the perpetrator. Also, with the updated tool, the standard for establishing an electronic surveillance has been changed, which will allow more victims to use an effective violence prevention mechanism.
The consent of the victim is necessary for the implementation of electronic surveillance. The protocol issued by the police shall be submitted to the court for approval within 24 hours of its issuance.
To raise awareness about the electronic surveillance mechanism, a video was produced by the UN Women with the financial support of the European Union.
