What can a person do if they observe a victim or believe someone might be a victim?
The victim has the right to report any case of violence against women and domestic violence and to seek protection.
Officials empowered with duties to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence are prohibited from taking any actions aimed at discouraging the victim from reporting the acts of violence they are subjected to.
Anyone who witnesses acts of violence against women and/or domestic violence, or who has reasonable suspicion that such acts have been committed or that acts of violence may occur, has the right to report this to the authorities responsible for preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
Persons in positions of responsibility and professionals who are bound by confidentiality are obliged to report to the competent authorities any acts of violence against women and domestic violence that endanger the victim’s life or health or any imminent danger of such acts. In other cases, reporting will only be done with the victim’s consent.
Reporting cases of violence against children, including reasonable suspicion of violence against children, is mandatory and does not require the victim’s consent.
The police are required to respond immediately to reports of violence against women and domestic violence and not to underestimate the importance of actions to counteract any forms of domestic violence.
Anyone who witnesses scenes of violence should first call the emergency number 112 – intervening between the abuser and the victim is not always the best solution, as this may escalate the situation and could even lead to other forms of violence.
Informational and psychological counseling can be provided via the women’s trust hotline: 0 8008 8008.
It is OUR DUTY, all of us, to report the abuses we witness, whether directly or indirectly.
office@112.md
