To break the cycle of domestic violence, it is essential to address perpetrators’ attitudes alongside victim protection and response services. From 17 to18 November 2025, in Yerevan, the Council of Europe, together with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Women’s Support Centre, discussed the implementation of a programme for perpetrators of domestic violence in Armenia.

The event highlighted Armenia’s progress in laying the groundwork for a comprehensive framework. Members of the Working group discussed a Council of Europe study “Analysis of the legal and policy framework for domestic violence perpetrator programmes in Armenia”, which  reviews the national system in light of international and European standards, particularly Article 16 of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, and offers recommendations for further improvement.

The Council of Europe also presented the working group members with a newly developed curriculum, “Training of professionals working on programmes for perpetrators of domestic violence in the Republic of Armenia”, which provides a structured professional framework ensuring that interventions are evidence-based, gender-responsive, and prioritise victim safety.

The discussion further emphasised the crucial role of each stakeholder in the successful implementation of perpetrator programmes. Close co-operation between government bodies, NGOs, social services, law enforcement, judiciary and engaged practitioners is essential in addressing the complex challenges of working with perpetrators of domestic violence and ensuring that all interventions place the safety and rights of victims at the centre.

The reports and the event were organised as part of the Council of Europe’s project “Ending Violence Against Women and Promoting Gender Equality in Armenia.”