Republican preventive campaign "A Home Without Violence!"

With the aim of attracting the attention of the general public to the problems of domestic violence and family dysfunction, and to explain to citizens the necessity of assisting state bodies in minimising the consequences of offences committed on this basis, and to explain the provisions of the Law of the Republic of Belarus of 4 January 2014 No. 122-Z, as amended by the Law of 4 January 2022 No. 151-Z "On the Fundamentals of Crime Prevention Activities", the main stage of the republican preventive campaign "A Home Without Violence!" will be held from 8 to 17 April 2024 in the Lepel district.

As part of this event, employees of the internal affairs bodies of the Lepel District Executive Committee and specialists from the Department of Labour, Employment and Social Protection, the Department of Education, the State Healthcare Institution "Lepel Central District Hospital", as well as various organisations and public associations will inform citizens about the legal norms in force in this area, the assistance provided to victims of violence, and the operation of helplines.

The "A Home Without Violence!" campaign was first held in April 2013 and over the years has received positive feedback from all interested parties involved in crime prevention. Its annual conduct is included in the National Action Plan for Gender Equality in the Republic of Belarus for 2021–2025, approved by the Council of Ministers.

Amendments and additions to the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On the Fundamentals of Crime Prevention Activities" entered into force on 12 July 2022. The main change, which allows for timely preventive measures to be taken against domestic abusers, is the registration of the aggressor after the first administrative offence for committing an offence in the sphere of family and domestic relations. Thus, as of today, 146 individuals who have been held administratively liable for offences in the sphere of family and domestic relations are registered with the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs.

It is also worth noting that the procedure for applying a protective order has been changed; this preventive measure can now be applied at the stage of preparation for

consideration of an administrative offence case, as well as conducting an investigation in accordance with the requirements of criminal procedure legislation or a initiated criminal case, i.e. immediately after the commission of an offence. In 2023, 209 protective orders were issued, of which in 20 cases, violations of the requirements of the protective order were detected, for which citizens were brought to administrative liability under Part 2 of Article 10.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus. In the current year, 62 protective orders have been issued, and in 3 cases, violations have been detected, for which the citizens who violated them were also brought to administrative liability.

It should be noted that the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs regularly conducts comprehensive measures to prevent unlawful behaviour of citizens in the sphere of family and domestic relations.

In conclusion, we would like to say, dear citizens, if you have become a victim or a witness of domestic violence, do not wait for a tragedy, contact the police at 3-20-83, or 102. You can also receive assistance by calling the helpline for victims of domestic violence of the Department for Comprehensive Support of Citizens in Crisis Situations of the State Institution "Territorial Centre for Social Services of Lepel District" at 3-49-20 daily on weekdays from 08:00 to 17:00.

Deputy Head of the Department of Law and Order and Prevention

Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs O.V. Avtuk