"I hope we will soon have domestic violence protection orders that are currently being coordinated with the Ministry of Social Security and Labor, and we should have this important instrument in force in 2022. It will allow, in case of violence, separating the abuser for, the victims and make decisions over the next 72 hours," the minister told a press conference at the parliament on Thursday.
She also called on people who are aware of domestic violence cases not to be indifferent and report them.
"Victims often don’t have possibilities to report that via any channel, therefore, I would like to ask all members of the public, people, not to be indifferent, if there might be such cases in your surroundings, your workplace or among your relatives. Let's just not be indifferent and report such cases to institutions," the minister said.
Bilotaite also pointed out that an increase in domestic violence cases was recorded at the beginning of the lockdown. In her words, working-age women mostly fall victim of domestic violence, but the number of cases of violence against men is also rising.
Data from the Police Department shows that domestic violence incidents accounted for 16.8 percent of all crimes registered in Lithuania last year, up from 16.2 percent in 2019.
Some 7,332 people were victims of domestic violence in Lithuania last year.