Special directions of improving the efficiency of prevention and combating domestic violence (on the example of the work of the National police of the Kharkiv region)
Authors: Golub Mykola 
Published: December 2021

Problem setting. According to the information of the National Service of Ukraine for 2020, state bodies that counteract domestic violence recorded 211,353 appeals for cases of such offenses. This is four times more than in 2019 (225). Thus, 180921 appeals were received from women, 27676 from men and 2756 from children [1]. Also in 2020, 921 individuals were convicted of domestic violence in Ukraine.

Analysis of recent research. Important issues regarding the problem of combating domestic violence were discussed by such scientists as: O. Bandurka, O. Bezpalova, A. blaga, A. Galai, V. Galay, O.Juzha, L. Kryzhna, O. Kostyr, Yu. Krupka, K. Levchenko, O. Litvinov, G. Moshak, M. Panov, S. Pronevich, Ya. Sotak, O.Sstarkov, etc. In the works of these scientists, a thorough analysis of the use of international experience, determination of effective directions and measures to prevent and counter domestic violence was carried out.

Purpose and objectives of the study. The purpose of the study is to investigate and analyze the actions of the National Police of Ukraine, which are aimed at increasing the effectiveness of combating domestic violence, and explore the experience of EU law enforcement agencies in responding to domestic violence.

Tasks of the research are: to provide proposals on the directions of effective response of the National Police of Ukraine to cases of domestic violence; to highlight the need for interaction of National Police units with other structures of executive authorities and local self-government.

Scientific novelty of research. The study considers proposals to increase the efficiency of the National Police in combating domestic violence, as well as ways to implement them. The interaction of the National Police with local executive bodies and local self-government is considered.

Article’s main body. The article considers the importance of prevention and counteraction to domestic violence, as well as the functioning of the National Police of Ukraine in this field of law enforcement, observance of human rights and freedoms, legal grounds for preventing domestic violence, both in Ukraine and in the EU. The provisions of the current legislation of Ukraine concerning the peculiarities of bringing to responsibility for committing domestic violence are analyzed. The need to strengthen responsibility for domestic violence is determined. The attention is focused on strengthening the legislative activity of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the adoption of new laws on the legal regulation of domestic violence.

Conclusions. Based on the research, we express suggestions for improving the work of the National Police of Ukraine in combating domestic violence, in particular: (1) taking into account the experience of the mobile groups of the National Police in combating domestic violence in the Kharkiv region, to prepare and submit to the Department of the NPU proposals for improving regulatory documents on this area of work taking into account the experience of the police of European countries; (2) to take measures to ensure effective interaction of mobile teams of social and psychological assistance (Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine) with mobile response groups (National Police of Ukraine), including: compatible visits to messages, exchange of information, joint coordination meetings, organization of classes for initial training, retraining and training of members of these groups ect.