III STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT

The main objective of this report is to identify the existing gaps in the work of different agencies that deal with domestic violence in order to develop better procedures, to offer more adequate responses and to insure justice and social protection in Armenia. This process will include examination of and comparison with established international standards and practices, as well as recommendations for needed practical steps.

This report consists of six main sections: Legislation, Law Enforcement, Social Services, Health, Education and Vulnerable Groups.

The report is based on the national legislation and practice; numerous documents of UN agencies, the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe; and examinations of the best practices of other countries in detecting and preventing domestic violence, as well as protecting victims of domestic violence.

In preparing the report, interviews were conducted with psychologists, social workers, lawyers and stakeholders of non-governmental organisations, and members of the “Coalition to Stop Violence against Women.” Parts of these interviews are quoted anonymously in the

report. The report is also based on the study of criminal and civil cases concerning domestic violence and examination of different judicial procedures and of the organization and methods of social protection.

Here it should be noted, as is the case worldwide, that over 90% of domestic violence is perpetrated by a man against a woman. Hence we call it gender-based violence and in the report we will refer to the victim as female and the abuser as male.