News

29 January 2026

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva hosted an Advisory Council for Prevention and Protection against Domestic Violence on the topic: "Practical steps for effective participation of the health system in protection against domestic violence" with the participation of non-governmental organisations, including the Animus Association, the Bulgarian Women's Fund, the Alliance for Protection against Domestic Violence, the Demetra Association, the WakeUp Foundation, the Center for the Study of Democracy, the P.U.L.S. Foundation – Pernik, Together for the Future – Vidin, the Ivan Vazov Community Center – 2014, the National Network for Children, and others.

During the opening, Delcheva emphasized that the Advisory Council was a proven successful form of dialogue and effective communication between the Ombudsman Institution and the non-governmental sector.

"This is an opportunity to discuss important issues such as domestic violence and to use the Institution of the Ombudsman as a bridge to convey your messages to state institutions," she said.

The Ombudsman noted that the choice of topic was not arbitrary and was the result of a discussion with representatives of the civil sector organised by the Animus Association. According to her, it is striking that health professionals are not actively involved in the implementation of the Coordination Mechanism for Support to Victims of Domestic Violence, even though they are among the first to come into contact with victims and can recognize the signs of violence.

"Our goal is for the conversation to focus on concrete steps and real results," Delcheva emphasized.

During the meeting, it was highlighted that the problem was not a lack of legislation or mechanisms, but rather their weak and ineffective implementation.

 Particular attention was paid to the need for healthcare workers—general practitioners, nurses, and hospital doctors—to be trained to recognize the symptoms of domestic violence, communicate appropriately with victims, and act in accordance with the Coordination Mechanism and the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act.

During the Advisory Council meeting, specific measures were outlined that the Ombudsman could take to engage the healthcare system more actively, including: holding targeted meetings with the Ministry of Health, the Bulgarian Medical Association, Emergency Medical Services, and industry organisations; initiating the introduction of a training module on "Domestic Violence" in higher education institutions for healthcare professionals; developing and implementing a medical protocol for reporting cases of domestic violence; introducing a standardised risk assessment card for victims of domestic violence; information campaigns and regional meetings on good practices and institutional coordination; proposal to introduce the position of regional coordinator on domestic violence; monitoring of the National Programme for the Prevention and Protection against Domestic Violence; participation of a representative of the Ombudsman as an observer in the National Council for the Prevention and Protection against Domestic Violence.

The Ombudsman also stressed the need for wider publicity of the Institution's functions and powers in cases of domestic violence, with a view to better protecting the rights of victims – women, children, and families.

Before the start of the Advisory Council, Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva presented the exhibition "The Colours of Goodness" created by children from the city of Ruse.

The paintings are dedicated to kindness and every child's right to grow up in an environment of security, respect, and love. The exhibition carries a powerful message that kindness is an action, that silence should not hide pain, and that every child has the right to a peaceful and protected childhood.

"I would like to thank you for participating in the opening of the exhibition by some wonderful children from Ruse on the theme: "The Colours of Goodness". Their drawings are filled with both hope and sadness, but these are the experiences of children. The latest case in Blagoevgrad shows once again how important it is to hear children today and listen to them so that such things do not happen tomorrow," said Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva minutes after the presentation of 30 paintings by children who participated in the project "Young People in Defence of Children's Rights", implemented by the Right to Childhood Foundation.

For the first time, the Institution of the Ombudsman presented a video clip with messages from young artists who clearly and categorically state that as children they have rights—to an opinion, to protection from violence, to education, to a healthy environment, to a family, to participation in cultural life, and to special protection.

In the video, the children emphasize that their rights are equal to those of adults and are guaranteed by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Bulgaria.

Lawyer Diliana Giteva, a participant in the project, conveyed the children's messages and focused on the early manifestations of violence.

"Children know that violence does not start with a slap—it can start much earlier. They want to tell us, the adults, to pay attention and listen to what they have to say," stressed lawyer Giteva.