The Republic of Armenia, in collaboration with UNFPA and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, has launched its first unified digital system for recording domestic violence cases. This system aims to compile comprehensive data on each reported incident, including logs of all proceedings and services provided to survivors.
Official bodies such as the police, investigative committee, Prosecutor’s Office, and Judicial Department, along with non-governmental support centers and shelters, will input data into this unified system. If necessary, the Ministry of Health may also contribute to a case file.
Since 2018, the Police of the Republic of Armenia received over 4,000 reports of domestic violence. The Women’s Support Center, a leading NGO, recorded over 4,000 hotline calls last year. All these cases will now be integrated into a single database under the new system.
Operated by the Nork Social Services Technology and Awareness Center Foundation, this system is financially backed by the European Union. Lusine Sargsyan, Head of UNFPA’s Office in Armenia, emphasized that the new digital and unified methodology will enhance targeted support and data collection for reforms in the domestic violence sector.
Narek Mkrtchyan, the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, highlighted that the data from this system would help develop more efficient prevention, response, and referral measures. Françoise Jacob, the UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia, remarked that this system marks a significant advancement towards combating domestic violence through a data-driven approach.
The system’s launch is part of the “ATHENA: Advancing the Human Rights Agenda and Enhancing National Authorities” Project, co-funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP, UNFPA, and UNICEF.
This initiative also addresses the social stigmas that deter survivors from reporting abuse. A survivor shared her experience of severe abuse and the societal judgment that follows. However, after finding support at a women’s shelter, she realized the availability of help and encouraged other women to speak out and seek assistance.
Approximately 17.2 percent of women in Armenia have reported domestic violence, a figure likely lower than the actual prevalence. The World Bank notes that 43 percent of survivors never disclosed their abuse, mainly due to a lack of expected support. This new system is anticipated to empower more survivors to come forward, knowing that help is available and their cases will be handled systematically and with dignity.
