After 18 years of control, manipulation, fear and violence, Victoria* can finally breathe freely. 

A survivor of domestic abuse, she has spent the last six months at Casa Marioarei, a shelter in the Moldovan capital where women and their children find refuge and support. 

Here, victims receive comprehensive social, psychological and legal assistance, helping many to regain their independence. 
They also learn how to become financially self-sufficient. This is a crucial step, as financial dependence is often what keeps victims trapped in abusive relationships. 

In Moldova, a country of 2.4 million, more than 20,000 domestic conflicts were reported in 2025 alone, prompting authorities to issue around 6,000 restraining orders to protect victims. 

* Name changed to protect identity