According to the European Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the WHO, one in three women is a victim of violence, and since the beginning of anti-epidemic measures and isolation, the situation has deteriorated in many homes. The organizations that manage the hotlines for victims of violence report an increase in signals by about 30%, and according to the Prosecutor's Office of Bulgaria there has been a threefold increase in cases of domestic violence in Bulgaria in 2021.

Domestic violence is a hidden pandemic that has long taken over many homes in Bulgaria and is different from that caused by the coronavirus, experts warn. The cases of injured women and children who are currently seeking support are much more severe and require immediate help and protection. In this regard, the Bulgarian Women's Fund has launched a charity campaign "The Invisible First Line" in support of crisis and counseling centers in Bulgaria, which are at the forefront in the fight against domestic violence. They are only 17 for the whole country, and the services they provide are systematically underfunded.

Compiled by Gergana Mancheva

English version Rositsa Petkova