Domestic violence reporting in Moldova hits 20,000 cases in 2025 as trust in police rises
Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin announced that domestic violence reports reached a record 20,000 cases in 2025. This increase is interpreted by authorities as a sign of growing public trust in law enforcement.
The police issued approximately 6,000 emergency restraining orders last year. These legal instruments immediately prohibit aggressors from contacting or approaching their victims.
Systemic response and specialized support
The Minister emphasized that many cases of psychological or economic abuse often go unreported. To address this, the Family Justice Center registered over 1,400 interventions in 2025, providing integrated psychological, legal, and medical aid.
"The rising numbers reflect concrete interventions in specific cases," Misail-Nichitin stated. She noted that institutional trust is key to breaking the cycle of silence surrounding domestic abuse.
New legal frameworks and the VioData system
The government has institutionalized the Registry of Aggressors and the VioData monitoring system. These tools ensure a coordinated inter-institutional response and better tracking of high-risk individuals.
In 2025, Moldova also modernized its legal framework to explicitly include "femicide." Out of 69 severe family violence cases reviewed, 12 were officially classified as femicide.
Community vigilance and recent tragedies
Despite legislative progress, challenges remain. The Prosecutor’s Office reported 13 deaths caused by domestic violence and 4 suicides linked to abuse in 2025.
Public concern was recently ignited by the death of a 38-year-old teacher in Chisinau’s Riscani district. While preliminary forensic evidence suggests suicide, women's rights associations are demanding a thorough investigation into potential underlying domestic pressure.
The General Inspectorate of Police noted that no official complaints had been filed by the victim against her husband in the last five years. Minister Misail-Nichitin urged communities to report suspected abuse, noting that victims often lack the initial support needed to step forward.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
