This article contains graphic descriptions of child abuse, gender-based violence, and cruelty to animals. A list of organizations supporting women’s rights and protection from violence in both countries is provided at the end.
By Alexandra Bora and Elina Genova
Adelina, a 17-year-old Bulgarian girl, carries a harrowing story of lifelong violence. “Kicking, throwing, slapping, punching, hair-pulling, bruises, belt strikes, being kicked out of the house” — these are the stark words she uses to describe her childhood. Her father’s aggression was relentless, targeting not just her but her sister and mother, from whom he is now divorced.
Despite the divorce, he remains obsessed with his ex-wife, continuing a cycle of psychological and physical abuse. During Adelina’s early years, her father’s cruelty knew no bounds — killing her hamster, throwing her sister onto a parked car, threatening to break her dog’s neck. “That really affected me mentally,” she says, revealing years of nightmares and sleep problems that drove her to use sedatives.
Though the immediate situation has improved, her father continues to stalk the family, making constant threatening calls. In one particularly terrifying incident, he called her sister claiming he had killed Adelina and their mother after his ex-wife didn’t answer her phone. “I’m already scared,” Adelina says. “This is like a horror movie. It’s getting out of control. I don’t know if something fatal might happen one night.”
In neighboring Romania, Maria’s childhood was marked by her mother’s increasingly destructive behavior, a pattern she initially struggled to recognize. “Things got worse around the age of 12 when my parents separated. That was the worst period, though the abuse had been happening even before that,” she says. What began as emotional abuse gradually escalated to physical violence. There were nights she would be kicked out of the house, only to be reluctantly let back in hours later. Minor inconveniences would trigger slapping or beating. While these physical incidents were sporadic, the emotional abuse — constant insults and verbal attacks — remained a consistent, suffocating presence in her life.
Adelina and Maria’s stories mirror the painful experiences of many girls who have suffered domestic or any other kind of abuse. In Bulgaria and Romania, teenage girls face widespread violence, yet systemic failures often leave them without protection or justice. Legal shortcomings, underfunded support services, and lingering stigma make it difficult for survivors to seek help. Despite growing activism, real change remains slow, as too many girls still suffer in silence.
Widespread Violence
In Romania, 42% of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15, while the percentage in Bulgaria is 28, according to 2024 statistics provided by the European Institute for Gender Equaility. 48% of Bulgarian women who have experienced physical or sexual violence by any perpetrator in the past 12 months have not told anyone, while the figure in Romania is 34%.
In a recent report, UNICEF states that “violence against women and girls, including harmful practices, is one of the most pervasive violations of human rights across the world.”
For the purpose of this article, the authors developed a survey in August of last year. Filled out by 64 respondents in Bulgaria and 60 in Romania, it paints a similar picture.
The survey shows that violence is often perpetrated by men or boys. In 69.2% of cases, the aggressor was male — most often someone the victim knew. In Romania, 40% of those who experienced violence reported that the perpetrator was a classmate, a close acquaintance, or a friend. In Bulgaria, an even higher percentage, 51.7%, reported experiencing violence at the hands of a friend. 69.2% of surveyed girls in Bulgaria and 58.5% in Romania reported witnessing violence against another girl.
The figures speak for themselves, but they beg the question: where does this violence come from? Romanian psychologist Andreea Ștefiuc explains that men historically relied on brute force for survival, which led to the normalization of using violence to exert control, including over women. Despite societal progress, this behavior has been passed down through generations. Only recently have women in the Western world begun challenging this norm, but the process of healing these deep-rooted patterns is still ongoing. She emphasizes that society is still learning how men can embrace strength without resorting to violence or suppression.
Experts argue that the patriarchal system not only fuels violence against women and girls but also fosters societal tolerance for it. Kalina Drenska, founder of the Bulgarian feminist NGO LevFem, explains that such violence is not just the result of harmful stereotypes or isolated cases of aggression but is actually more deeply rooted. “It stems from the patriarchal system itself because it positions women as subordinate to men,” she says.
Cultural stigma discourages victims from speaking out, fearing judgment or retaliation. Many bystanders hesitate to intervene, reinforcing a culture of silence. This mindset is further reflected in widespread victim-blaming in Bulgaria — according to a UNICEF and Coram study, 51.6% of respondents believe that a girl bears some responsibility for being raped if she drinks alcohol, takes drugs, behaves provocatively, has multiple sexual partners, or stays out late at night.
Experts, psychologists, and social workers interviewed for this story suggest that the lack of understanding about what constitutes aggression and violence is a key factor.
“Many of the girls who come to me and have experienced some form of violence do not always recognize it as such. They often perceive it as a normal part of the relationship, rather than as violence inflicted upon them,” says Valeria Simeonova, a Bulgarian psychologist who works with teachers and children between the ages of 7 and 18, especially those with anxiety disorders. She also says that almost everyone she treats in therapy has experienced some form of violence.
“The initial reason why the girls come to therapy is not the abuse, but oftentimes through our work in therapy it comes to the surface one way or another,” says Andreea Ștefiuc.
Maria Boeva, who has been working at a Bulgarian national hotline for abuse survivors for more than 6 years now, also agrees that violence against girls is a taboo issue and something that “we should talk about”.
Survivors Face Systemic Barriers
Victims of domestic and gender-based violence in Bulgaria and Romania face significant obstacles when seeking help. Legal shortcomings mean laws are poorly enforced, judicial processes are slow, and courts often fail to clearly classify cases of assault as rape.
A judicial inspection report published in July 2021 highlights serious issues in how Romanian prosecutors and judges handle cases involving survivors of sexual violence from 10 to 14 years of age. The report reveals deep-seated prejudices and a lack of proper resolution in light of such offenses.
A 2019 study further exposes this systemic failure in Romania: statistically, there is only a 1 in 4 chance that a national court will classify the crime of rape as such. These findings make it clear that neither girls nor women are adequately protected in our society.
Violence can have lasting traumatic effects, often carrying severe consequences into adulthood. For example, Adelina experiences nightmares, and the situation at home affects her school life. For some, the impact is even deeper — Maria still struggles with the emotional scars left by her mother’s abuse. “I haven’t fully moved on — the consequences are still visible, and it has left a deep mark on me. But now, I hope that with time, it will all fade away,” she says.
Institutional and psychological assistance for girls who go through violence is crucial, and so is trying to limit this violence in the first place.
In Bulgaria and Romania, there are a few state-run centers that help women who have experienced domestic violence where they can also bring their children. Limited support services, which may include shelters and counseling, leave victims with few options, however. Law enforcement failures also persist, with police often dismissing complaints or urging reconciliation with abusers.
When Adelina and her mother called the police after her father attempted to break-in, no help came due to a lack of official documentation of abuse. “That crushes you even more,” Adelina explains. “It means the police won’t help you, the court won’t help you, no one will help you.”
In the absence of state policies, a handful of nonprofits have stepped up to fill the gap, offering a range of services from counseling and mental health support to shelter and legal aid.
At some point, the situation in Maria’s home with her mother became unbearable. She made the courageous decision to seek refuge with her father. “I ran to my dad’s place because I saw things were getting worse and worse,” she says. “I simply didn’t know what to do anymore. If I stayed with her, nothing would change.”
Now living with her father, Maria is actively working on healing. “I’m trying to work on myself,” she says, “to understand that those words are just words, and they are said with the intention of bringing me down.”
Despite the alarming rates of violence against teenage girls and women, there are glimpses of hope.
In 2023, an 18-year-old Bulgarian girl named Debora was brutally assaulted by an alleged former boyfriend. The cruelty of the attack — the girl was stabbed multiple times with a snap-off knife — and the authorities’ inaction sparked a wave of rallies in dozens of towns across the country. Indeed, the scale of the protests was almost unprecedented. Thousands of Bulgarians took to the streets to express their support for the victim but also to demand that abusers be held accountable. The incident has forced Bulgaria to make swift legal changes.
In Romania, NGOs lead awareness campaigns emphasizing community responsibility in combating domestic violence. Messages highlight that it’s not just a private matter and urge bystanders to take action. Centrul Filia organizes workshops and protests, including the popular “Together for Women’s Safety” march. Additionally, in 2022, Romania launched a pilot project using electronic bracelets to monitor offenders and enforce protection orders.
Help from friends and family is crucial during hard periods, and showing care and interest might change everything. “I believe that the most important thing is a simple question: ‘Are you okay?’ I believe that the most important thing is to be emotionally present for someone going through something like that,” says Maria from Romania.
The street is empty as I walk home from school. It’s getting dark, clouds hang low, and the wind whips my hair across my face. The usually busy sidewalks are deserted, making the kilometer stretch to my house feel endless.
Footsteps echo behind me. A man. Getting closer. I can feel his eyes on me as I clutch my keys between my fingers — a makeshift weapon. He’s right behind me now, his breath practically on my neck. Will I even make it home tonight?
Then, he passes by. Relief floods through me, but the fear lingers. This route, this feeling — it’s all too familiar. I have no alternative path home. Tomorrow, I’ll walk this same street after school, wondering again if I’ll make it back safely.
Some might call this scene dramatic, but for many girls between 13 and 18, this is daily life: navigating through fear, uncertainty, and anxiety. A simple walk becomes a game of Russian roulette. Most times nothing happens, but the possibility of being catcalled, harassed, or worse always looms.
In Bulgaria, 40% of women report they do not feel safe walking outside alone at night. In Romania, the number is even higher — 8 out of 10 women.
All of this stems from real dangers, as news about cases of rape, harassment, or even murder circulates daily. Most of the time, justice is not achieved for minors (mostly girls) who are victims of sexual violence. According to a report released by Centrul Filia, 60% of sex crimes in 2020 were perpetrated against minors.
Note: Maria and Adelina’s names have been changed to protect their identity.
Organizations Supporting Women’s Rights and Protection from Violence in Romania:
Association for Liberty and Equality of Gender (A.L.E.G.) – A.L.E.G. works to prevent and address violence against women by providing support services, legal counseling, and awareness programs on gender equality and women’s rights.
FILIA Center – A feminist NGO advocating for women’s rights, FILIA addresses issues such as domestic violence and sexual harassment. They provide support and advocacy for women affected by violence.
Necuvinte Association – Focused on combating domestic violence, Necuvinte offers legal, psychological, and social support to abuse survivors. They also engage in policy advocacy and awareness campaigns.
CASA Ioana – The organization provides shelter and support services for women and children escaping domestic violence and homelessness, helping them rebuild their lives.
Organizations Supporting Women’s Rights and Protection from Violence in Bulgaria:
Animus Foundation – Animus offers psychological and social support to women and children who are victims of violence. They operate a crisis center and a hotline for victims of domestic violence and trafficking.
Turnovgrad Crisis Centre – This institution provides emergency support and shelter for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other forms of abuse.
P.U.L.S. Foundation – Supporting children, young people, and adults affected by violence, P.U.L.S. offers assistance through a center for social rehabilitation and integration.
Samaryani Association – The organization supports individuals who have experienced violence. They operate a Consultative and Informational Center and a hotline.
Emprove Association – Focused on empowering women, particularly survivors of domestic violence, Emprove provides resources and support for rebuilding their lives.
