ANPCV is launching the specialization process for criminal investigation officers, prosecutors, and judges in handling cases of violence.
The Republic of Moldova is taking a decisive step toward establishing a coherent system for the training and specialization of justice professionals, aimed at ensuring a uniform and effective response to cases of violence against women and domestic violence.
Today, at the National Institute of Justice, the National Agency for the Prevention and Combatting of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV) organized an interinstitutional coordination meeting with the participation of representatives from the Superior Council of Magistracy, the Superior Council of Prosecutors, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, and the General Police Inspectorate.
Together, we discussed and analyzed how to strengthen the coordinated response of the justice system, as well as the possibility of establishing professional specialization for criminal investigation officers, prosecutors, and judges who handle cases of violence.
This initiative is aligned with Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on combating violence against women and domestic violence, which explicitly provides for the need to train and specialize relevant professionals.
Article 15 of the Istanbul Convention also obliges State Parties to ensure adequate and continuous training of professionals, focused on prevention, early identification, victim protection, and the prevention of re-victimization.
The recommendations formulated in the 2023 GREVIO Report for the Republic of Moldova also highlight the need to introduce mandatory, systematic, and standardized training for all categories of professionals involved, with an emphasis on understanding the phenomenon and applying a multidisciplinary approach to case management.
ANPCV, in collaboration with the National Institute of Justice, is planning—through a joint effort—to organize quarterly regional continuous training sessions starting in 2026. These trainings will target criminal investigation officers, prosecutors, and judges, with the aim of strengthening practical competencies and interinstitutional cooperation.
At the same time, ANPCV is currently developing a study on the feasibility of specializing criminal investigation officers, prosecutors, and judges in the Republic of Moldova in cases of violence against women and domestic violence involving both adults and children. This initiative is being carried out with the support of UNICEF Moldova, UNFPA Moldova, and GIZ Moldova.
The purpose of the study is to assess the feasibility of establishing a professional specialization system for approximately 10–15% of professionals within the criminal justice system, while also identifying international standards and European models applicable to the context of the Republic of Moldova.
Within the scope of this initiative, “specialization” does not imply the creation of new structures, but rather the designation of professionals who will be responsible for investigating and adjudicating cases related to a specific category of criminal offenses, as defined by the Criminal Code, concerning violence against women and domestic violence.
The results will be presented in December 2025, and the recommendations will serve as the foundation for implementing a functional specialization framework.
The Republic of Moldova has made significant progress in strengthening the legal framework for the prevention and combatting of violence. However, the real effectiveness of the protection system depends on how each link in the chain—from local specialists in multidisciplinary teams to actors within the criminal justice system—understands the phenomenon, responds to it, and cooperates effectively.
The data clearly illustrate the scale of violence in our country:
- 73% of women have experienced at least one form of violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lives;
- Only 11% of cases are reported and come to the attention of the authorities or support organizations;
- The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has issued 4 rulings against the Republic of Moldova for violations in cases concerning violence against women and domestic violence;
- The average duration for examining a case of violence against women and domestic violence is between 244 and 639 days (ADJAJ data, 2020–2025);
- Every third citizen personally knows a victim of violence;
- In 2024 alone, 21 cases of femicide caused by domestic violence were registered.
Through this joint effort, the Republic of Moldova reaffirms its firm commitment to ensuring a coordinated, professional, and compassionate response to cases of violence— in line with the Istanbul Convention and the European values of human rights protection.
