In his remarks at the event organized off the back of “16 days of activism against violence” campaign, the minister said that unfortunately domestic violence still remains a concerning phenomenon despite all the measures taken and tightening of sanctions.

“2023 saw 11 femicide cases, an alarm bell for all of us. From the first day in office, I asked the Director of State Police to draw up a protocol on the state’s first contact with the victim. Such cases require a different approach as opposed to other criminal offences. It is needed the presence of a psychologist from the very beginning to encourage the victims to tell the truth. The case of Vlora was touched upon here. I was convinced that media reports were far from the truth. When I spoke face to face with the abused girl, I realized that even the State Police employees had behaved as mediators to find a solution to the benefit of everyone involved. This is enough to show that we still do not have the adequate mechanisms and protocol. Girls and women who take it upon themselves to report violence are heroines, for whom we must continue to take care, designing a series of social programs for them to shine, so that their life after denouncing the violence is way better than before,” Balla pointed out.

Citing statistical data, he said that the Police, or any other agency, cannot win this battle alone.

“47% of women have experienced a moment of violence in the family, or another form of violence. Despite State Police efforts to prevent crimes, it is still a concerning phenomenon. This is a battle that cannot be won by State Police alone. 4,700 domestic violence cases were recorded and 2,500 protection orders were issued. People still don’t know that even just harassing a girl on the street is violence, stalking her is violence, stopping her from going to work is violence, or using an inappropriate word towards a fellow member of parliament is violence,” the minister said.
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