Protection order failed before Vilnius district woman’s killing

A protection order issued against a man accused of killing his former partner did not prevent the fatal attack in Vilnius District, LRT reports. The case has renewed questions about how effectively Lithuania’s domestic violence protection system works.

The woman was killed on Tuesday in Avižieniai, Vilnius District. Police said a man born in 1994 smashed the window of his former partner’s home with a stone, entered the house and injured her with a knife. The attack took place in the presence of a minor.

The woman, who was born in 1983, died from her injuries. Police later found that the suspect had previously been violent towards his partner and had received a protection order shortly before the killing. The order did not stop him.

Lithuania has issued more than 10,000 domestic violence protection orders annually, and some perpetrators receive them repeatedly. Police statistics show that the proportion of people who repeatedly breach the orders is increasing.

The orders have been issued since July 2023. During the first six months, they were issued to 8,726 people across Lithuania, including 1,431 who received an order more than once.

In 2024, orders were issued to 14,906 people, including 3,518 repeat recipients. Last year, 13,313 people received orders, of whom 3,159 received them repeatedly. During the first half of this year, police issued orders to 6,761 people, including 1,074 repeat recipients.

Police Department statistics also show that breaches of protection orders are becoming more frequently repeat offences. From July to December 2023, 4,906 breaches were recorded, including 668 repeat offences, or 14 percent.

In 2024, authorities recorded 8,929 breaches, of which 3,357, or 38 percent, were repeat offences. Last year, there were 7,561 breaches, including 3,304 repeat offences, or 44 percent. During the first half of this year, 3,230 breaches were recorded, with 1,492, or 46 percent, involving repeat offenders.

Police said that 85 percent of people considered to pose a danger and issued with protection orders are men. In 78 percent of cases, the people exposed to the danger are women.

Failure to comply with a protection order carries administrative liability. A first breach can result in a fine of between 80 and 320 euros, while a repeated breach can lead to a fine of between 300 and 780 euros.

The Women’s Information Centre said in a social media post that the woman killed in Vilnius District had done everything she could to protect herself from the alleged perpetrator. According to the centre, she had ended the relationship after sensing danger, called the police and sought help again after the man breached the protection order.

An expert cited by LRT said the period for which a protection order is issued should be extended from 15 days to at least one month.