In a sobering revelation, data from the initial half of 2023 has underscored a disconcerting upward trajectory in reported instances of domestic and sexual violence in the Czech Republic. Government authorities unveiled these troubling statistics during a press conference while introducing the “Action Plan for Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Prevention” for the years 2023 to 2026.

Comparing the data with the same period from the previous year, the police recorded a distressing surge in reported cases of abuse within shared living arrangements, soaring from 274 incidents in the first six months of 2022 to a staggering 430 cases in 2023. This marked increase was mirrored in reports of rapes and homicides with motivations rooted in personal relationships.

Klara Simackova Laurencikova, the Government Commissioner for Human Rights, solemnly stated, “Last year, the police recorded an increase in all crimes related to domestic and sexual violence,” underlining a disconcerting pattern that has continued into the current year. However, experts caution that the actual figures may be far higher, estimating that only a fraction, approximately one in five cases of severe domestic violence and one in twenty rape incidents, are officially reported.

The ongoing influence of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns on this disturbing trend has not gone unnoticed. Branislava Marvanova Vargova, chairwoman of the Committee for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Violence against Women, noted that while the lockdowns exacerbated the situation, the roots of many of these incidents predated the pandemic.

The menace of domestic violence is further exacerbated by the fact that many cases go unnoticed. The police annually intervene to protect over 1,000 individuals from life-threatening situations within shared households, while child protection authorities are forced to step in approximately 2,000 times each year to address volatile family situations.

The gravity of the situation is starkly outlined by the rise in murders motivated by personal relationships. In the first half of 2023 alone, there were 42 such cases, a deeply unsettling escalation. Notably, a disconcerting pattern has emerged in recent years, where perpetrators resort to murder-suicide, often preceded by threats of self-harm. This chilling sequence poses a significant challenge for law enforcement and support services.

While the surge in reported rapes could be indicative of an increase in confidence in law enforcement and the judicial system, there remains a conspicuous need for more specialized services, comprehensive training for professionals, and an enhanced emphasis on prevention. The newly introduced “Action Plan for Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Prevention” seeks to address these concerns through various avenues, including the establishment of a toll-free helpline and enhanced support services for both victims and perpetrators. However, experts point to a critical shortfall in the plan – the absence of assured and sustained funding for these crucial initiatives.

The latest data paints a grim picture, urging policymakers and stakeholders to redouble their efforts and resources to effectively combat this disturbing surge in domestic and gender-based violence.

Article by Prague Forum