CHALLENGES AND GAPS IN ARMENIA’S RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

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Recommendations: 1. Present legislative amendments to stipulate separate (special) legal trial regulations for cases of gender-based and domestic violence; 2. Trials of domestic violence should be conducted by the specialized judges.

Protective Order According to the Armenian DV law, the courts issue Protective Orders (PO). These orders forbid the abuser to approach or communicate directly or indirectly with the victim and members of her family for 6 months and they can be renewed for an additional total of up to 6 months. PO restrictions include: immediately and forcibly removing the perpetrator of violence within the family from the residence of the victim, prohibiting his return until the deadline is established in the order; prohibiting the perpetrator to visit the workplace, school, leisure places or residence of the victim. It also orders the perpetrator to stay away from the victim (and persons under her care, if necessary) at such a distance that will not raise in the latter a reasonable fear for personal safety, etc. International practice allows for a victim to apply directly to the court to obtain a Protective Order (PO). Usually it is as simple as filling out an application form. It does not require a prior DV report or an EIO from the woman. However, in Armenia there is no such user-friendly process. Presently, the practice in Armenia is that the victim has more of a chance to receive a PO if there is an existing EIO. The court does

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