EMPOWERING LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN UKRAINE: A HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED APPROACH

Abstract

Domestic violence has become an alarming crisis in Ukraine, exacerbated by the all-out war. In 2023 alone, 291,428 cases were officially reported, an increase of 19% compared to 2022. Research suggests that 60% of reported perpetrators were linked to military service, highlighting the profound societal impact of the war. In the midst of these challenges, our NGO, Étude Académique des Droits de l'Homme et du Constitutionnalisme (EADHC), has launched an initiative to strengthen the capacity of local authorities to combat domestic violence. Our project aims to align Ukraine's response mechanisms with European standards, in particular the Istanbul Convention, and to empower local and regional authorities to take a leading role in prevention and victim support. This report provides an overview of our initiative, focusing on the legal framework, policy recommendations and a practical toolkit for local authorities.