Domestic violence should be sanctioned more seriously than other acts of violence, said Minister for Human Resources Zoltán Balog.
At a press briefing following the latest session of the Codification Workgroup on Domestic Violence, the Minister announced that the content of the relevant bill is being discussed with NGO representatives so that it can be submitted to the Government and subsequently discussed in Parliament. The body text of the bill has already been formulated but some details are yet to be specified, such as the demonstration of mental harm or post-relationship violence.
Representatives of NGOs and initiator of the bill Pálma Halász emphasized the complexity of the issue, explaining that the views of the courts, the police, child welfare and civil organisations and the victims must all be taken into account so that the new legislation will be in line with reality.
According to Zoltán Balog, such violence must be punished more strictly because it constitutes a more serious abuse of trust than in other cases.
The Ministry has come to an agreement with civil representatives that a cooperation forum will be set up, aimed at developing a national strategy that also covers issues of education, legislation and law enforcement.
(Ministry of Human Resources)