Lithuania: Protection available for female victims of domestic violence
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 18 February 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LTU40525.E |
| Reference | 7 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Lithuania: Protection available for female victims of domestic violence, 18 February 2003, LTU40525.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4dc638.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The United Nations Development Fund for Women's (UNIFEM) Regional Public Awareness Campaign in Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Lithuania noted that Lithuania had no specific legal provisions on domestic violence, although victims could apply extant general provisions against violence and injury (UN 2002). According to the Open Society Institute (OSI), Lithuanian police reportedly receive 50,000 domestic abuse calls every year (25 Nov. - 10 Dec. 2002). Yet, based on surveys conducted in 1997-1998 by the Lithuanian non-governmental organization (NGO), the Women's Issues Information Centre (WIIC), only approximately 16 per cent of women reported domestic abuse to police or medical authorities (Women's World 2 June 2002). In 1998 a volunteer counsellor for a Lithuanian domestic abuse helpline observed that family violence held little public interest because women rarely reported abuse to the police or other law enforcement agencies and also that it was considered a private issue, one often blamed on the victim (Bridges July-Aug. 1998). In 2002 UNIFEM's post-Soviet project manager, Zuzana Jezerska, noted that domestic violence was still considered "new" and was "not treated as a public problem," although public awareness of the issue was quite high (RFE/RL 24 May 2002). Also in 2002, the United Nations identified domestic abuse as an issue requiring greater state attention while observing that its prevalence was "persistent" (UN Dec. 2002, 29).
A 2002 UNIFEM survey found that 57 per cent of respondents could not identify domestic abuse support services in Lithuania (UN Jan. - Mar. 2002). The Research Directorate found a number of NGOs and support services mentioned in the sources consulted for this Response. NGOs that have domestic violence as a focus include the WIIC, the Vilnius Women's Association, the Vilnius Women's House (ibid. 2002) and the Lithuanian Women's Society (OSI 25 Nov. - 10 Dec. 2002). Support agencies include women's crises centres and telephone lines available in the cities of Alytus, Sakiai, Vilkaviskis, Vilnius, Kedainiai, Raseiniai and Kaunas (UN 2002). The Vilnius Women's House and Crisis Center, for example, opened in 1996 and provides telephone counselling, legal, psychological and medical aid where necessary, and a temporary shelter for women and their children (Bridges July-Aug. 1998). In addition, the Vilnius Diocese Caritas Care Home for Mothers and Children and the Vilnius Shelter for Battered Mothers and Children provide temporary shelter to victims (UN 2002).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Bridges [Reston, CA]. July - August 1998. Vol. 22, No. 6. Ruta Aidis. "Domestic Violence Victims Find Hope At ... The Vilnius Women's House and Crisis Centre." (Lithuanian-American Community) Open Society Institute (OSI) [Budapest]. 25 November - 10 December 2002. "16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence." Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 24 May 2002. Alexandra Poolos. "East: Domestic Violence - An Unspoken Problem in Many Postcommunist Countries (Part I). United Nations. December 2002. United Nations Development Program. Report on the Millennium Development Goals: A Baseline Study. Common Country Assessment for Lithuania. (United Nations in Lithuania) _____. January-March 2002. UN Bulletins. No. 31. Jurgita Peèiûrienë. "Research Results on Violence Against Women." (United Nations in Lithuania) _____. 2002. United Nations Development Fund for Women's Regional Public Awareness Campaign in CIS and Lithuania. "Lithuania." Women's World [Vilnius]. 2 June 2002. "Violence Against Women: Victim Survey Report." (Women's Issues Information Centre Internet Bulletin) Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
Consortium of Women's Non-Governmental Associations
Europa
Lithuanian Women's Information Portal
Lithuania's NGO Coalition for Women's Rights Protection
Network of East-West Women
Network Women's Program, Soros Foundation
Open Society Initiative - Lithuania
Qweb
United Nations Human Development Reports (2000-2001)
United Nations in Lithuania
World Bank, Social Development in Europe and Central Asia Regions 2001
