Contributed by: Bulgarian Gender Research Foundation, Bulgaria National VAW Monitor

In the last few months, 36 applications have been submitted in the Court of Burgas by women who have prestigious professions against their husbands. Among them are women who are doctors, teachers and lawyers.

The NGO “Demetra” has given help to more than 200 women in the last three months.

In almost all the cases, the women have been maltreated, beaten or humiliated by their husbands. 90% of the victims were providing the money in the family. Every fourth victim in Burgas is a victim of domestic violence, while every third one has become a witness or knows someone who suffered from violence. The oldest victim is an 82-year-old woman who has been beaten every day by her daughter who is an alcoholic.  

Often, victims don’t seek help when the first acts of violence happen. They believe that things are going to change because usually after the fight, the aggressor always apologizes and the so-called “pink period” starts. The most common reason which the victims give to explain why they stay with their husbands-aggressors is “Because of their children”. Most of the women file divorce papers after their children separate from the family to start an independent life.   

Complied from: Women With Good Professions Harassed by Their Husbands, Dnes.dir.bg – 20.07.2008