Domestic violence in Moldova is widely underreported; experts urge prevention and public education
Domestic violence is a significant and often underreported issue in the Republic of Moldova. The recent rise in the number of cases reported to authorities likely indicates that more victims feel confident seeking help rather than an actual increase in the occurrence of domestic violence. This conclusion was reached during the "Bună seara" show on Moldova 1, where guests discussed the causes of domestic violence and the mechanisms for addressing it.
Domestic violence is far more pervasive than official statistics suggest, as many victims do not report their abuse to the authorities, according to Neli Lelenco, deputy director of the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Family Violence.
“Trends indicate an increase in reports to the police and support lines. However, studies show that only about 10% of domestic violence cases are reported. This means the true scale of the issue is much larger,” Lelenco stated.
Thousands of cases of domestic violence are recorded annually. However, authorities caution that the rise in reports should not necessarily be interpreted as an escalation of the problem.
“We see a trend of increasing reports, but this also suggests that victims are gaining more confidence in approaching the authorities. Information campaigns and intervention mechanisms have contributed to this greater openness,” explained Ivan Crețu, head of the Police Family Justice Center.
Journalist Cornelia Cozonac believes many women remain afraid to speak about their abuse due to distrust in state institutions and social pressures.
“Women still do not trust the authorities and are afraid to report their cases. The positive aspect is that more conversations are taking place, which will undoubtedly help other victims understand the importance of seeking help. I have been reporting on this issue for nearly 30 years, and it is disheartening that even after 30 years of independence, women still lack trust in the institutions designed to help them,” Cozonac said.
While the legislative advances made by the Republic of Moldova in combating domestic violence are significant, lawyer and program director of the Promo-LEX Association, Vadim Vieru, believes more is needed to eliminate the issue.
“Our legal framework is relatively advanced compared to many countries in the region. However, a strong law alone does not resolve the problem. It requires well-prepared institutions, adequate resources, and the involvement of society as a whole,” Vieru asserted.
Director Ana Gurghiș, who documented domestic violence in a film, emphasizes that the reality on the ground reveals a far more serious problem than what statistics suggest, as “many cases go unreported and are only known to the close circle of the victims.”
Preventing domestic violence and changing societal attitudes is crucial for addressing this issue. In this regard, authorities are planning a long-term national campaign that will particularly target young people and professionals dealing with such cases.
"We aim to organize a long-term campaign to change behaviors and attitudes, starting by promoting positive behaviors through our own examples to show that change is possible. I think we will launch this campaign soon, and I hope everyone will get involved. We plan for it to run for three years as part of a series of actions the authorities will undertake," Lelenco stated.
According to recent data presented by Minister of Internal Affairs, Daniella Misail-Nichitin, the number of reported domestic violence cases in the Republic of Moldova is on the rise. In 2025, the police recorded over 20,000 notifications regarding family conflicts, and approximately 6,000 emergency restraining orders were issued to protect victims.
The Prosecutor's Office reported that last year, 13 people died as a result of domestic violence, with another four alleged suicides connected to such abuse. Moreover, authorities analyzed 69 serious cases of domestic violence, 12 of which were classified as femicide.
The topic gained renewed public attention following the death of a 38-year-old woman, a mother of two and a teacher from Hâncești, who was found lifeless in early March near a block of flats in the Râșcani sector of Chișinău. Preliminary investigations indicate she may have fallen from a height, and suspicions of possible domestic violence have surfaced on social media. However, police stated that no official complaints regarding violence in this family have been filed in the last five years, and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy are still under investigation.
