Comprehensive information on protective mechanisms for abused women and victims of domestic violence is contained in Response to Information Request BGR23667.E of 25 March 1996. In addition, the attached 1 August 1996 report from the Sofia-based BTA News Agency contains recent information on rapes of and attacks on women in Bulgaria. The newly formed Women Against Violence foundation reported

131 women killed, 1,243 raped, 236 seriously injured and 451 "crippled by the application of violence" during a two-week period in the summer of 1996 (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

BTA News Agency [Sofia, in English]. 1 August 1996. "New Group Reports Scale of Attacks Against Women." (BBC Summary 3 Aug. 1996/NEXIS)

BTA News Agency [Sofia, in English]. 1 August 1996. "New Group Reports Scale of Attacks Against Women." (BBC Summary 3 Aug. 1996/NEXIS)