The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal took part in a meeting chaired by the wife of President Olena Zelenska and the Head of the Presidental Administration Andrii Yermak with representatives of human rights organizations. In his statement, the Prime Minister stressed that the coronavirus epidemic and quarantine measures have revealed the scale of such a phenomenon as domestic violence.

"It is important not just to respond post factum, it is critical to deal with its prevention at the state level. Obviously, there should be a state program to combat domestic violence, and to create a relevant legal framework for that purpose. The work of psychologists and other relevant services should be organized as well. It is vital to bring the problem of domestic violence to the state level," the Prime Minister is convinced.

The Prime Minister supported Olena Zelenska's initiatives and reminded that an expert environment had been created under the auspices of the First Lady, which took this problem to a new level.

Denys Shmyhal also reminded that the Government hotline 1547 has already been operating under the Cabinet of Ministers, where victims of domestic violence can turn for help. Time shows that work should be intensified.

"Domestic violence is definitely a crime, but not an act of love. We must abandon the proverb that says "If a woman is beaten, she is loved", and these crimes must be counteracted in every possible way," Denys Shmyhal summed up.