Beginning in the summer of 2025, electronic bracelets will be utilized to monitor domestic violence offenders in Armenia. This initiative aims to enable law enforcement to accurately track whether an abuser violates restraining orders by approaching their victims., said Edgar Petrosyan, head of the Professional Methodological Support Department of the Community Police.
As reported by CivilNet, Petrosyan provided an overview of the current state of domestic violence in Armenia and the measures being undertaken by the police. Over the past six years, there has been an increase in reported domestic violence cases, particularly in the last two years. According to police representatives, this rise is viewed positively, as it indicates that more individuals are coming forward to report such incidents.
Regional analysis reveals disparities; for instance, in 2024, Gegharkunik province exhibited higher latency in reporting domestic violence cases. Petrosyan attributes this to entrenched stereotypes and societal indifference, where such behavior is often normalized. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts with partners, including non-governmental organizations and local media, to raise awareness and address these issues.
In contrast, Ararat province has recorded a higher number of reported cases, which may increase the risk of repeat offenses, necessitating targeted interventions.
To reduce underreporting, the police plan to launch the SafeYou application in the spring of this year. This platform will allow citizens to anonymously report instances of violence. The app features an anonymous chat function, enabling individuals to communicate and share information about ongoing violence without disclosing personal details. This approach aims to combine awareness-raising with anonymous reporting options.
Despite these new mechanisms, concerns persist regarding the recurrence of classic domestic violence cases. Petrosyan noted that many abusers, when deprived of access to their victims, may resort to self-harm or suicide. He highlighted that this issue is prevalent worldwide and requires serious and comprehensive efforts to address.
