YEREVAN, Armenia – The Republic of Armenia has introduced its first unified digital system for recording domestic violence cases. This joint initiative between UNFPA and Armenia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs will contain comprehensive information on each reported incident, including a log of all proceedings and services provided to the survivor. 

The new system will compile details entered by official bodies like the police, investigative committee, Prosecutor’s Office and Judicial Department, as well as by non-governmental support centres and shelters. If necessary, other departments, such as the Ministry of Health, may also enter information into a case file.

The Police of the Republic of Armenia said it received more than 4,000 reports of domestic violence since 2018. Meanwhile, the Women’s Support Center, one of Armenia’s leading NGOs focused on intimate partner violence, recorded more than 4,000 calls to its hotline last year alone. Under the unified system, all these cases would be entered into a single database. 

This major step forward will be operated through the “Nork Social Services Technology and Awareness Center” Foundation, with financial support from the European Union.

“For more than seven years, since the adoption of the Law on Domestic Violence, the registration of services provided in cases of domestic violence has been carried out using a non-unified methodology and in paper form,” said Lusine Sargsyan, Head of UNFPA’s Office in  Armenia, at the launch event. “We hope this new digital and unified methodology-based system will help the state and interested parties to make their work more targeted and have sufficient data for further reforms in the sector."

Narek Mkrtchyan, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, added that the data collected from this new digitized system will help the government develop prevention, response and referral measures that are more efficient, coordinated and targeted. “Such systems enable state bodies to develop evidence-based and data-based policies aimed at preventing and overcoming domestic violence, modernizing and improving measures to protect and support victims of domestic violence, and finally raising public awareness,” explained Mr. Mkrtchyan. 

The UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia, Françoise Jacob, added: “With this system, Armenia is taking a significant step towards a more effective and data-based approach to combating domestic violence. I am convinced that this important tool will help us all create a safer and more just society.”

UNFPA has also been working to tackle the social barriers that prevent survivors from coming forward to report cases of abuse. “In Armenia, if you speak up, it's over. It's a shame, you're divorced,” said one woman interviewed by UNFPA. She endured years of severe physical and emotional abuse from her husband in silence, but feared that even the police would judge her if she told them about her husband.

An estimated 17.2 per cent of women in Armenia reported experiencing domestic violence. However, this likely underrepresents the true prevalence as gender-based violence is significantly underreported in the country. According to the World Bank, 43 per cent of survivors stated that they had never talked to anyone about their abuse. More than half of them said it was because they did not expect help from anyone, including authorities or their own family.

It is hoped that strengthening Armenia’s overall reporting system and support services will empower survivors to know that help is available. Another survivor told UNFPA that she was able to finally open up about her suffering at home and begin to change her life after discovering a women’s support shelter. “After talking to them, I realized there is hope and that a woman is not alone in this life,” she said. “To all the women going through this, I want them to stay strong, to tell someone, to speak up, and to not be afraid.” 

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The launch of Armenia’s unified digital system was done within the framework of the "ATHENA: Advancing the Human Rights Agenda and Enhancing National Authorities” Project that is co-funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF.