Violence Against Children in Bulgaria – A Systemic Problem That Can No Longer Be Delayed!

📈 The statistics are alarming:

● Over 40,000 reports of domestic violence were made to emergency number 112 in 2024 alone. ● 95% of child abusers were victims of violence themselves.

● 80% of children using harmful substances have been victims of violence.

● 78% of children in juvenile detention centers have experienced violence in the past.

Despite growing public intolerance, violence against children in Bulgaria remains deeply neglected by institutions, and our judicial system neither guarantees effective protection for victims nor provides adequate punishment for perpetrators.

❓ What’s next?

The National Network for Children proposes 7 critically necessary steps to build an effective system for the prevention and protection of children, especially from violence. To learn more about the NNC’s proposals and the child rights strategy, we present to you the expert comment of lawyer Milena Kadieva – an international human rights defender, founder, and executive director of the "YES – United Against Violence" Foundation, part of the team of the National Network for Children, for BNR – Radio Sofia.

‼️ It's time for action!

Link to the interview with lawyer Milena Kadieva ⬇️

https://bnr.bg/sofia/post/102138896/kak-da-navaksame-izostavaneto-v-prevenciata-i-zashtitata-na-deca-ot-nasilie-spored-nmd?fbclid=IwY2xjawJhlLZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHliKFGi5z32yPjXV9oH8UtiU4JcdHBo7zr5elvQWqKCuleFYpzdR9uWLMVg9_aem_tI3EOiwtRL4ahiHpDU1Zcw

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On March 31, 2025, a "Round Table" event was held in the city of Plovdiv, organized by the "DA - United Against Violence" Foundation, with the aim of presenting the results of the Teamwork2 project. The event was led by lawyer Milena Kadieva, founder and director of the "DA" Foundation, and Dr. Misho Grablev, chief legal advisor and coordinator of the foundation. The Teamwork2 project focuses on a serious and widespread issue that is often overlooked in our society – sexual harassment in the workplace, which, by its nature, is a form of gender-based violence.
During the event, the main objectives and achieved results of the project were presented, including:
➡️ Increasing public awareness on the topic;
➡️ Building the capacity of stakeholders who will support companies and organizations in implementing effective internal policies;
➡️ Improving the protection of victims;
➡️ Creating new, widely accessible services that will facilitate reporting of the issue;
➡️ Developing inter-institutional cooperation, regional, and national networks that contribute to the prevention and reduction of the issue.

After the completion of the project, the "DA" Foundation will continue its mission to raise awareness on the topic and promote effective policies that ensure a safe and equitable work environment for all.

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On February 25th, 26th, and 27th, 2025, a three-day event dedicated to the fight against violence against women and the protection of human rights took place in the city of Plovdiv. The theme of the forum, "EU Countermeasures Against Violence Against Women" gathered experts, activists, and representatives of organizations from various countries to discuss the current state of legislation and its practical application in EU member states. 

The event was organized by the "YES - United Against Violence" Foundation, whose goals are committed to the protection of human rights and the fight against violence. The event was opened by lawyer Milena Kadieva, founder and executive director of the "YES - United Against Violence" Foundation. As a lawyer with extensive experience in the field of human rights protection, she introduced the participants to the legislation, regulations, and directives of the European Union regarding the protection of women from violence, its practical application in EU member states, and presented specific examples from the practice of various European countries in this area.
A special focus was placed on Directive (EU) 2024/1385 and the opportunities for improving national policies.

Through interactive discussions, practical exercises, and analysis of real cases, the participants had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of legal mechanisms, good practices, challenges faced by different countries in implementing protective measures, and the social consequences of violence. They exchanged ideas on the fight against violence and shared their views on building a safer and fairer society. The event concluded with the presentation of campaigns and video projects developed by the participants, aimed at raising public awareness and encouraging changes in protection policies and public attitudes.

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On February 26, 2025, the parliamentary committee on constitutional and legal affairs approved, on the first reading, the three draft bills regarding shared parenting, which were introduced in December 2024. This represents an important milestone in the efforts to ensure equal parental rights after divorce or separation. Shared parenting aims to provide a healthy and balanced environment for the development of children, ensuring their right to have meaningful relationships with both parents!

Leading lawyers, specialists with long-standing experience and organizations engaged in the protection of children's rights presented their opinions in support of the adoption of the proposed bills. Among them are lawyer Milena Kadieva, founder and executive director of the "DA- United Against Violence" Foundation, lawyer Yordanka Bekirska from the specialized family and international law firm "Bekirska & Partners," lawyers Plamen Borisov, Miglena Baljieva and Karlo Lukhanov, Slavi Nestorov - founder of the "For Shared Parenting" Foundation, Desislava Avdzhieva, Ivana Tocheva and others. The initiative also received support from key institutions working to protect children's interests, including the State Agency for Child Protection and the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.

The three draft bills are expected to be reviewed in the plenary hall, where the deputies will decide whether Bulgaria will take the decisive step toward reforming the Family Code. The expected changes will ensure that children of separated parents will not be deprived of the presence and support of both parents!

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On January 23rd, 2025, an inspiring seminar was held in Uppsala, Sweden, with the participation of lawyers from Bulgaria and Sweden, who are actively working in the field of human rights.
The meeting was organized as part of the 'FATIMA 2' project, which aims to eradicate harmful practices such as honor-based violence against women. The project is already well-known to our audience. The 'DA' Foundation was represented by lawyer Milena Kadieva, founder and director of the organization.
The initiative was born almost a year ago after a team meeting between lawyer Milena Kadieva and partners—specialists with extensive experience in human rights protection, with whom they work together on the 'FATIMA 2' project. This meeting inspired the idea of holding an event to bring together different perspectives and professional experience.
The seminar gathered not only lawyers but also strategists, municipal workers, police officers, and social workers from Uppsala, united by the desire to discuss important issues and challenges related to human rights. It emphasized the importance of collaboration and the exchange of ideas between different professional communities.