The case of a teen who was cut multiple times and disfigured by her ex-boyfriend has rocked Bulgaria, with protests against gender violence breaking out across the country.
A woman holds a placard reading “Reform of the Judiciary” during a demonstration against domestic violence in Sofia, on July 31, 2023. (Photo by NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP via Getty Images)
Debora Mihaylova, an 18-year-old woman, was attacked by her 26-year-old ex-boyfriend in Stara Zagora on June 26.
Second national protest against violence against women in front of the Sofia Court House in Sofia, Bulgaria on 8 August 2023 in support of the 18-year-old girl from the city of Stara Zagora, who was disfigured with a box cutter knife by her 26 -year-old boyfriend. (Photo by Hristo Vladev/NurPhoto)
The man, identified as Georgi Georgiev, reportedly slashed Mihaylova multiple times with a box cutter knife, broke her nose and then shaved off all her hair.
A woman holds a placard reading “How many more?” during a demonstration against domestic violence in Sofia, on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Nikolay DOYCHINOV / AFP) (Photo by NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP via Getty Images)
She had to receive 400 stitches.
Georgiev was arrested but later released, with judges ruling that Mihaylova’s injuries were “minor” and not life-threatening.
Second national protest against violence against women in front of the Sofia Court House in Sofia, Bulgaria on 8 August 2023 in support of the 18-year-old girl from the city of Stara Zagora, who was disfigured with a box cutter knife by her 26-year-old boyfriend. (Photo by Hristo Vladev/NurPhoto)
The case prompted outrage, with protests breaking out across the country, including a demonstration attended by 5,000 people in the capital, Sofia.
Thousands of people at a peaceful protest in front of the Sofia Court House in Sofia, Bulgaria on July 31, 2023 in support of the 18-year-old girl from the city of Stara Zagora, who was disfigured with a box cutter knife by her 26-year-old boyfriend. (Photo by Hristo Vladev/NurPhoto)
A protester blows into a whistle during a demonstration against domestic violence in Sofia, on July 31, 2023. (Photo by NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP via Getty Images)
On Monday August 7, Bulgaria’s parliament toughened the law to increase punishments for domestic violence.
Under the changes, people who inflict “minor bodily injury” – which is punishable by two years in prison – will no longer have the possibility of probation.
A protester holds a placard reading “Men of quality don’t fear equality” during a demonstration against domestic violence in Sofia, on July 31, 2023. (Photo by NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP via Getty Images)
The maximum punishment for inflicting “medium bodily injury” was increased from six to eight years in prison.
Lawmakers also expanded the law beyond married couples to protect people in “intimate relationships” from domestic violence.
A woman holds a placard reading “Not a single one more!!! Stop” as protesters shout slogans during a demonstration against domestic violence in Sofia, on July 31, 2023. (Photo by NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP via Getty Images)
However, activists say that number may be much higher.
Women hold placards reading “Not a single one more” during a demonstration against domestic violence in Sofia, on July 31, 2023. (Photo by NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP via Getty Images)
Although it is a member of the European Union, Bulgaria has refused to ratify the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty preventing violence against women.
The treaty is aimed at preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence by protecting victims and prosecuting accused offenders.
A woman holds a placard reading “Not a single one more” during a demonstration against domestic violence in Sofia, on July 31, 2023. (Photo by NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP via Getty Images)
It creates a comprehensive legal framework and approach to combat violence against women.
It is a legally binding Council of Europe agreement signed by 45 countries and the European Union.
