“Not One More!” Outrage Follows Brutal Knife Attack on Young Woman in Bulgaria
A judge in Bulgaria has caused outrage after downplaying a violent knife attack on a young woman, referring to her injuries as “minor physical injuries.” Following the decision to release the suspected attacker after just 72 hours, demonstrations have erupted in several cities, primarily attended by women. The government is under pressure to implement stricter measures against violence towards women.
The discussion was sparked by a case involving a fractured nose, a brutally shaved head, and 21 deep knife wounds. A 26-year-old repeat offender is accused of perpetrating these acts of violence against his 18-year-old girlfriend, supposedly out of jealousy, according to the victim’s mother. The alleged attacker came to the victim’s door and simply stabbed her. The suspect had been in a relationship with his victim for only four months. His arm bears a tattoo with the inscription “Freedom or Death.”
Protests Against Domestic Violence Towards Women
This case triggered nationwide protests, with thousands of participants demanding change. “We will no longer remain silent,” chant the demonstrators. Their signs ask, “Sleep well, judge…?” and “How many more women?” They are angry. Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolaj Denkov also speaks out, calling the indifference of the judiciary “shocking.”
The case represents the larger issue at hand, serving as an example of the violence against women. One woman, referred to as “Maria” in this article for her protection, shares her personal experience. After calling a helpline, she was only advised to visit a doctor. “I slept on the street. Only then could I come here,” she says.
By “here,” she refers to a center for women in distress in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia. The 24-year-old woman claims that her husband beat her, locked her up for days without food or water, and threatened to kill their young child.
Protesters Rally Against Violence Towards Women – “How Many More?”
Insufficient Assistance for Women in Need
There are shelters and assistance available for women like Maria in Bulgaria, but they are far too few in number. Sofia, a city with millions of inhabitants, only has 18 beds available, and there are only around 180 beds in the entire country. Desislava Dimitrova from the organization “Feminist Mobilization” says that when it comes to violence against women, many Bulgarians have looked the other way for far too long. Men beating their wives is still considered “normal” in many families.
“We still live in this patriarchal world in Bulgaria. The role of a woman is perceived solely as being a mother and a housewife, staying at home, taking care of her husband, serving him,” says Dimitrova, who counts herself as one of the affected individuals. “I have personally been a victim of violence. I have friends and acquaintances who have been victims of violence. That’s why I became an activist.” No one should die anymore – that is her sole motivation at the moment.
Protests Increase Pressure on the Government
The protests have brought about change in the country: more women are speaking up about their experiences. The law against “domestic” violence has also been strengthened, now applying to unmarried couples as well. The debate in parliament was intense, with Member of Parliament Veshti Rashidov unable to contain himself. His party, GERB, is in power again. Rashidov, who previously served as Minister of Culture, walked up to the president’s podium, thinking the microphone was turned off, and made derogatory comments.
“What nonsense is this?” referring to the new law. “Suddenly, all the whores remember that they were raped 16 years ago.” Rashidov has since resigned and apologized.
The women’s protests continue. A slightly tougher law is still not enough. They chant, “Not one more!” No woman in Bulgaria should be injured or killed because a man beats or stabs her.