Updated 08.04.2025
I. What is gender-based violence?
Gender-based violence targets a person because of their gender. It can take the form of physical injury, sexual or psychological trauma and suffering, and threats of such acts.
Gender-based violence most often targets weaker and vulnerable persons such as women and children. However, gender-based violence can affect anyone, including men, boys and LGBTI+ persons. Perpetrators of such violence can be strangers as well as family members.
Gender-based violence can take many forms and be perpetrated in different ways. The laws in Bulgaria protect victims of all types of violence.
We will look at different forms of gender-based violence in this article. It is important that you know what they are so that you can recognise them as the kind of violence prohibited by Bulgarian law and seek help.
II. Forms of gender-based violence
Physical violence - this is violence involving the infliction of physical pain or injury, for example hitting, strangling, cutting, hitting, burning, shooting or using any weapon, acid attack or other act causing pain, discomfort or trauma.
Psychological /Emotional violence - causing mental or emotional pain or trauma. For example, threats of physical or sexual violence, intimidation, humiliation, forced isolation, stalking, verbal harassment, unwanted attention, remarks, gestures or written texts of a sexual and/or threatening nature, destruction of beloved personal items, etc.
Economic violence - in this case, the abuser controls the victim's finances to prevent them from working, studying or deciding for themselves what to do with their income.
Sexual violence - there are different types of sexual abuse, for example:
- Rape - this includes all types of sexual penetration that is carried out without consent, regardless of whether physical violence or the use of force is used.Initial consent can be withdrawn at any point during the act and automatically affects consent for future acts. Rape can occur even when committed against a spouse or intimate partner. Attempted rape is also rape and is punishable by law.
- Any other sexual act or attempt to commit such an act without the consent of the victim. For example: unwanted comments or propositions, touching and any act that the person finds degrading, including trafficking, coercion into prostitution, etc.;
Domestic violence - it can take many forms, including physical, sexual, psychological and economic violence, as listed above. Domestic violence can occur whether or not the abuser lives in the same household as the victim. It can affect anyone, including men, younger or older people, children and people from the LGBTI+ community.
Sexual harassment at work or school - any form of unwanted sexual behaviour, including through actions or just words. Often this type of violence affects the dignity of the victim, offends them or humiliates them. For example: inappropriate glances, touching, comments, jokes, propositions and invitations from persons with a working relationship.
Femicide - this form of violence is broadly defined as the killing of a woman or girl because of their gender and can take various forms, such as femicide as a result of intimate partner violence, torture and murder as a result of misogyny, the killing of women and girls in the name of “honour” and other forms.
Childhood violence - covers the following experiences before the age of 15: mental or physical abuse perpetrated by parents or others responsible for the child's upbringing; sexual abuse perpetrated by any person; incidents of violence between parents.
III. Risks
Women seeking protection are particularly vulnerable. As a woman fleeing conflict and persecution, you may face a high risk of gender-based violence in your home country, during your journey and, unfortunately, even at Bulgarian reception and accommodation centers.
You should be careful with smugglers because they target women who are traveling alone, knowing that they are more vulnerable. If you lack the money to pay for your journey, smugglers may try to force you to have sex with them.
You may not recognise it as a crime, but if your husband/partner beats you, treats you disrespectfully and/or harasses you, then you are a victim of domestic violence and you should seek protection.
IV. How can I protect myself from gender-based violence?
The protection from violence that the law gives can vary depending on its form.
If anyone, a stranger or a family member frightens you, hurts you, makes you feel bad or touches you inappropriately, you need specialized help. You should not be afraid to report about your circumstance. You may seek help from the following people:
- The police
- A doctor/nurse who provides you with medical care
- The social workers or the guards in the reception and accommodation centers
- A psychologist, if you have access to one
- Your lawyer
- UNHCR or IOM employees, or other organizations that you think may be able to help you
- Employees of the State Agency for Refugees
- Any person whom you trust and think may help you, for instance, a friend or another family member
Remember that what happened to you is not your fault.
V. Rights of victims of gender-based violence
- You have the right to respectful treatment and to be recognized as a victim.
- You have the right to be protected from intimidation and harm by the perpetrator.
- You have the right to receive support, including immediate assistance following a crime, medical care, accommodation in a shelter, long-term physical and psychological assistance and practical assistance during proceedings to help you understand the process and to reduce your distress.
- You have the right to demand a translator of your gender.
- You have the right to legal aid.
- All of the information you share with any authorities, social workers, psychologists and lawyers is confidential.
VI.National Helpline for Victims of Violence
If you are afraid to share your problems face-to-face with somebody, you can contact the 24-hour National Helpline for Victims of Violence on +35980018676/+359 2981 7686. It is fully anonymous and free of charge.
The helpline staff will provide you with consultation and information about what your options are, what you can do to protect yourself, and which institutions and authorities you should contact to receive appropriate help.
VII. Legal aid
In some cases, domestic violence, sexual violence and violence in any other form is one of the reasons why you left your country. All of this is a form of persecution against you as a woman, and it may positively affect the decision on your asylum case in Bulgaria.
But the authorities will not take it into consideration during your asylum case if you don’t share it. We advice you to seek legal advice before the interview with officials of the State Agency for Refugees.
Important! If you are subjected to domestic violence, or any other gender-based violence, you can get special support and immediate protection. For assistance, we advise you to seek help from a lawyer.
Finding a good lawyer in Bulgaria
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