Romanian senators against domestic violence

The Romanian Senate has endorsed a series of amendments to the law on combating domestic violence

Mihai Pelin, 28.10.2025, 14:00

The Senate in Bucharest has endorsed a legislative draft aimed at discouraging domestic violence deeds by raising punishment limitations in the case of repeat offenders. The PSD Senator Victoria Stoiciu says this law is ‘a concrete step towards a Romania which protects not only notices’.

Victoria Stoiciu: “Domestic violence is a scourge, which in its extreme forms can lead to death. Over 40 women have been killed this year alone. And when it doesn’t end up in death, it ends up in traumas and long term suffering. Our duty as a law maker is to ensure a legal framework to offer the highest protection ever to victims and discourage as many aggressors as possible.”

Senator Gheorghe Vela from the opposition POT, has underlined the project is again strengthening the legal framework regarding the protection of the victims of domestic violence providing for faster, firmer and effective intervention measures.

Gheorghe Vela: “By the amendments proposed, the cooperation between institutions is being improved, the protection order is issued faster, and better support is offered to victims, particularly women and children. For all these reasons, because it’s a law, which saves lives, I am conveying a clear message: violence is not accepted in a civilized society. The POT senators can vote for this draft and endorse it. “

In turn, the president of the Special Committee “Romania without domestic violence”, the Liberal Alina Gorghiu, former Justice Minister, says the amendments are leading to a ‘ real strengthened protection’ for the victims and are also closing down any legal loops favouring the aggressors’.

‘It’s major step onward – a clear signal that the victims voices have been heard in Parliament, which is amending laws in order to offer them real protection and concrete support’, Gorghiu went on to say.

Among other things, the bill provides for expanding the period of the protection order until the case is solved as well as for raised penalties for the repeat offenders who are violating the aforementioned order.

After the protection period is over, victims can apply for a prolonged period provided their lives, physical integrity or freedom is endangered. Under the same amendments, in the absence of risk assessment by a certified probation body, the court will conduct an assessment based on the evidence comprised by the file. The bill also provides for the elimination of the possibility of dropping charges in cases involving beating and bodily injury against a family member. The Senate is the first legislative body to be notified before the bill is being submitted to the decision-making Chamber of Deputies.

(bill)