With complete agreement and without debates MPs in the Bulgarian Parliament have voted in favor of tougher measures to combat domestic violence.

For murder in case of domestic violence, sentences of 15 years to lifetime in prison will be imposed. Three to ten years of imprisonment penalizes perpetrators of systematic physical, sexual or psychological violence against current or former spouses. Parliament Chair Tsveta Karayancheva described the changes as a blow against domestic violence and an extremely important message to all those women and children who are being abused at home.