Types of crimes

The Criminal Law provides for the classification of criminal offenses, dividing them into misdemeanors and crimes.

Crimes, in turn, are divided into less serious, serious, and particularly serious.

(Article 7 of the Criminal Law)

TYPES OF VIOLENCE

Violence involves a desire to control, dominate, and humiliate. Violent behavior takes many forms—physical, emotional, sexual, economic, violent control, and stalking—and is usually a combination of these. Violent behavior is based on the desire to subjugate the victim and demonstrate one’s power and superiority. The abuser feels powerless and has low self-esteem, which is boosted by aggression and the use of force against those around them.

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is considered to be any kind of violent behavior between:

• current or former spouses;
• partners in an unregistered marriage (cohabitation);
• first and second degree relatives (e.g., between children, parents, grandparents, brothers,
• sisters);
• persons living in a shared household (shared apartment or house).

Physical violence – any physical assault, such as hitting, kicking, slapping, pulling hair, choking, pushing, grabbing the arm tightly, using weapons, etc.

(Criminal Law 125, 130, 132, etc. in conjunction)

Sexual violence – any sexual assault, such as rape, forced or violent sexual intercourse, violent involvement in sexual activities, sexual assault against the victim’s will, etc. choking, pushing, grabbing the arm tightly, use of weapons, etc.

(Articles 159, 160, etc. in conjunction)

Emotional violence – any verbal, emotional, or psychological abuse, such as regular threats, threats of physical or sexual violence, threats to take away children, name-calling and belittling, stalking (following, waiting outside the home or workplace, regular and unwanted phone calls and text or email messages), preventing the victim from meeting friends and relatives, etc. choking, pushing, grabbing the victim by the arm, use of weapons, etc.

Economic violence – any action aimed at subjugating the victim by exploiting one’s superior financial position, such as concealing income, depriving the victim of their income, preventing the victim from earning an income, giving money if the victim has fulfilled certain requirements, etc. choking, pushing, grabbing the victim by the arm, using weapons, etc.

Violent control – any action that involves harassment, sexual coercion, threats, humiliation, intimidation, or other violent actions intended to harm, punish, or intimidate. Choking, pushing, grabbing the arm tightly, use of weapons, etc.

Stalking – any repeated and systematic non-physical influence on a person with the aim of causing fear and anxiety in the victim in order to change and achieve the desired behavior of the victim and maintain control over the victim.

(Section 132.1 of the Criminal Law, etc. in conjunction)

POLICE DECISION ON THE SEPARATION OF THE PERPETRATOR

At the scene of the incident, a police officer may decide to separate the perpetrator of violence. The police will make a decision on separation if there is an immediate threat. The police may separate the perpetrator for up to 8 days.

You have the right to remain in your home, but the perpetrator of violence will be required to leave. The perpetrator of violence is responsible for their behavior, and the police decision on separation is a consequence of their unlawful behavior.

With the decision to separate, the police will require the perpetrator to leave the home where you live permanently (even if it is the perpetrator’s property). The police may also prohibit the perpetrator from staying near the home and contacting you. This decision will be enforced immediately. The police will allow the perpetrator to take some essential belongings for the next few days, inform them of places where they can stay, order them to leave the home, and prohibit them from approaching it.

The separation order will give you the opportunity to safely decide what to do next. you will be able to seek help from social services or a crisis center, file a claim in court for temporary protection against violence, file for divorce, or take other necessary actions.

TEMPORARY PROTECTION AGAINST VIOLENCE

If you are experiencing physical, sexual, emotional, or economic violence, you have the right to protect yourself! A victim of violence can apply to the court for temporary protection against violence, and a decision can be obtained within 24 hours.

What does temporary protection against violence mean?

It is a legal form of protection that applies to persons who suffer or are at risk of violence from:

• a current or former spouse;
• a cohabiting partner;
• relatives;
• other related persons, even if they no longer live in the same household.

What is the purpose?

• Temporary protection:
• provides urgent assistance to the victim;
• Prevents further violence
• Enables the victim to regain safety and control over their life.

What protective measures can be applied?

The court may impose one or more of eight possible protective measures, such as:

• The abuser must leave the home where the victim lives;
• The abuser is prohibited from staying in certain places (e.g., the workplace, the child’s educational institution, etc.);
• Prohibition on communicating with or approaching the victim (by telephone, in person, digitally);
• Obligation to attend a social rehabilitation course to reduce violent behavior;
• Other protective measures determined by the court based on the specific situation.

How to apply?

You can:

• submit an application to the court in person or with the help of a lawyer;
• use the support available at the MARTA Center to prepare your application;
• if necessary, assistance will be provided in completing and submitting the application.

(Civil Procedure Law, Chapter 30.5, Temporary Protection Against Violence)

More information Temporary Protection Against Violence | Marta

AVAILABLE SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE

You can find out more about each type of support by calling the free helpline for victims of crime 116006, every day from 12:00 to 22:00.

If you need immediate assistance, you should call the police on 112.

If you are suffering from violence and need support, you can get it at your local municipal social service, as well as at crisis centers, where you will be provided with psycho-emotional support, work with you to develop a safety plan, and help you resolve practical issues.

You can contact the Court Administration to receive state-provided legal assistance for protection against violence, toll-free information line 8000 1801.

More information State-provided legal assistance | Court Administration

MARTA Center branches

• MARTA Center Riga branch, Matīsa iela 49A, LV-1009, Riga, phone 67378539, centrs@marta.lv.
• MARTA Center Liepaja Branch, Kūrmājas prospekts 11, LV-3401, Liepaja, phone 29195442,
• centrs@martaliepaja.lv.
• MARTA Centre Rēzekne branch, Viļānu iela 10, Rēzekne, LV-4601, phone 25 648 595,
• rezekne@marta.lv.

The MARTA Center provides support to adult victims of violence (both women and men) by offering free consultations with social workers, lawyers, and psychologists.

Applications for temporary protection against violence can be prepared with the help of MARTA Center lawyers or social workers, or the victim can do it themselves. The application form and instructions on how to fill it out can be found on the MARTA Center website.

The MARTA Center also provides assistance to adult victims of human trafficking (women and men) and children. Forms of human trafficking: sexual exploitation, labor exploitation, exploitation for criminal activities, exploitation for sham marriages, organ removal. It is possible to receive anonymous consultations from a social worker, psychologist, and lawyer.

More Home | Marta

CHILDREN AS VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE

Violence — any form of physical or emotional cruelty, sexual abuse, neglect or other treatment that endangers or may endanger a child’s health, life, development or self-esteem

(Child Protection Law Article 1, Paragraph 9.1)

There are generally four types of violence: child neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. Each type of violence has a different set of signs that may indicate that violence against a child is occurring. Of course, the signs differ in each case of violence, because all our lives are different. For some children, the signs are more pronounced and easier to notice than for others. However, all types of violence against children have the following characteristics in common:

• violence against a child is the inappropriate use of force or power by another person (adult or peer);
• the child victim of violence has been manipulated and made to accept a distorted view of the world
• (e.g., believing that they are to blame; believing that violence is an acceptable way to show care, etc.)
• the child’s self-esteem and self-respect are negatively affected, and the child suffers various psychological consequences.

Child neglect: prolonged or systematic neglect of a child that harms or may harm the child’s development or causes the child physical or psycho-emotional suffering.

(Child Protection Law, Article 1, Paragraph 13.2)

Failure to provide for the child’s physical and emotional needs. Neglecting the child’s clothing, food, safe environment, medical care, education, supervision, and emotional security.

Signs that may indicate neglect:

• the child does not look appropriate for their age
• the child has developmental delays
• the child is unkempt, physically neglected, dressed inappropriately for the weather
• the child befriends strangers very easily
• the child engages in antisocial behavior (stealing, drinking alcohol, etc.)
• the child has problems attending school
• the child is boastful, pretends to be more mature than he or she actually is
• the child is often sad or depressed
• the child has low self-esteem
• difficulties interacting with peers

Neglect: failure to fulfill or superficial, careless fulfillment of child care and supervision duties.

(Child Rights Protection Law, Article 1, Paragraph 13.1)

Emotional abuse: undermining a child’s self-esteem or exerting psychological influence (by threatening, scolding, humiliating the child, behaving violently towards a child’s relatives in the child’s presence, or otherwise harming the child’s emotional development).

(Child Protection Law, Article 1, Paragraph 12)

Behavior that emotionally traumatizes a child: rejection, humiliation, name-calling, ridicule, physical and social isolation, terrorizing, inadequate socialization.

Signs that may indicate emotional abuse:

• the child seems depressed
• frequent psychosomatic complaints (complaints of feeling unwell without any known medical explanation): headaches, nausea
• the child wets their pants or bed
• unusual appearance: strange clothing, strange haircut
• the child seeks attention and approval from other people
• the child is submissive, overly obedient
• the child is self-critical, with low self-esteem
• the child is afraid of other people’s attitudes
• the child, especially a teenager, exhibits self-destructive behavior (behavior that harms themselves)
• the child runs away from home
• difficulties in relationships with peers
• the child’s behavior is aggressive, impulsive

Physical violence: deliberate use of force in contact with a child that is dangerous to the child’s health or life, or deliberate exposure of a child to harmful factors, including tobacco products or plant smoking products, smoke or vapour from electronic smoking devices.

(Child Protection Law, Article 1, Paragraph 11)

Actions that are not accidental and cause physical pain or injury to a child: shaking, hitting, beating, kicking, burning, threatening with a weapon, pulling, etc.

Signs that may indicate physical abuse:

• injuries and wounds on the child’s body
• nausea, headaches, dizziness
• fractures
• bruises
• the child cannot remember or explain how the injuries on his or her body occurred
• the child avoids explanations
• has become cautious, alert, fearful, nervous
• the child avoids physical contact
• the child exhibits extreme behavior: very aggressive, provocative, or extremely passive
• communication problems, low self-esteem
• the child dresses in a way that hides their body
• the child often does not attend school
• the child exhibits self-destructive behavior: self-harm, cutting veins, suicide attempts
• the child has emotional problems
• fear

Sexual abuse: any sexual activity with a child for the purpose of providing or obtaining sexual stimulation or sexual gratification, or other benefits, performed by an adult or another child who, due to their age or development, is in a position of responsibility, trust or power over the victim, with or without physical contact with the child’s body, including exposing the child to the sexuality of others or using information or communication technologies.

(Child Protection Law, Article 1, Paragraph 10)

Involvement of a child in sexual activities. Sexual violence is not limited to sexual intercourse. It can involve physical contact (touching, kissing, caressing, etc.) or no physical contact (photography, observation, undressing, sexual conversations, masturbation in front of a child, etc.).

Signs that may indicate sexual abuse:

• the child has itching in the throat or in the area of the intimate parts of the body
• soiled, bloody underwear
• the child does not observe personal hygiene
• pregnancy
• sexualized behavior
• nightmares, sleep disturbances
• urination or defecation in bed or pants
• frequent psychosomatic complaints (complaints of feeling unwell without any known medical explanation):
• headaches, nausea
• unexplained changes in the child’s behavior
• the child avoids physical contact
• the child exhibits self-destructive behavior: self-harm, cutting veins, suicide attempts
• eating disorders
• the child has emotional problems
• fears
• the child dresses in a way that hides their body
• the child behaves sexually, engages in sexual relations prematurely or is involved in prostitution
• drawings of people that are inappropriate for the child’s age: marked, highlighted intimate body parts

More Violence. Learn to recognize it. – Dardedze Center

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Human trafficking is one of the most serious human rights violations, a gross violation of human dignity and physical integrity, which affects many people, including the most vulnerable groups – children, women, ignorance and many other factors, including the most vulnerable groups of people – children, women, the elderly, people with disabilities and socially vulnerable people. Due to its various forms, the phenomenon of human trafficking is evolving every year and becoming increasingly difficult to track, which is why it is very important to identify victims or potential victims of human trafficking at an early stage in order to provide them with assistance and effective protection.

(Section 154.2 of the Criminal Law)

Anyone can become a victim of human trafficking.

Human trafficking takes various forms, such as forced labor, prostitution, slavery, and organ removal. Its purpose is the exploitation of individuals.

People can become victims of human trafficking in many different ways: through illegal employment agencies, through friends, acquaintances, or even relatives, by responding to advertisements on the Internet and chat rooms, through modeling agencies, youth exchange programs, dating agencies, in response to false proposals from foreign suitors

, etc.

It is important to always carefully check all information – both about the employer and the potential job. It is important to read and understand the employment contract and its terms and conditions in good time, and only sign it when you understand it. Do not give anyone your passport, ID, or bank card. Do not agree to forced labor or fictitious marriages, which promise good earnings! Do not let yourself be exploited! Seek help!

In cases of human trafficking, you can seek help from:

1. 24/7 Hotline for the reduction of human trafficking (+371) 28612120 – by calling this number, anyone can obtain information about the necessary actions in a specific situation and use it as one of the resources if help is needed in cases of human trafficking in Latvia or abroad.
2. Association “Shelter “Safe House””, Lāčplēša iela 75 -1B, Riga, phone: (+371) 67898343, (+371) 28612120, e-mail: drosa.maja@gmail.com, www.patverums-dm.lv
3. Association “Centrs MARTA”, Matīsa iela 49 – 3, phone: (+371) 67378539, e-mail: centrs@marta.lv, www.marta.lv

You can find out more about preventing human trafficking by visiting the national information resource on reducing human trafficking and current events in Latvia www.cilvektirdznieciba.lv.

More Where to seek help | Cilvektirdznieciba.lv

CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY

Crimes against property are violations of the law that aim to unlawfully acquire, damage, or otherwise endanger someone else’s property. These crimes occur in all segments of society and can affect anyone, both individuals and businesses.

The most common types of crimes are

• Theft – the secret or open theft of another person’s property without the owner’s consent.
• Robbery – theft committed with the use of violence or the threat of violence. This is a much more serious offense than ordinary theft.
• Fraud – a situation where a person obtains another person’s property or funds by deception.
• Extortion – when someone demands property or money by threatening harm (e.g., damage to reputation).
• Damage to property – the deliberate damage or destruction of another person’s property.

(Chapter XVIII of the Criminal Code)

What to do if you have been the victim of a property crime?

Stay calm and record what happened

• Take photos of the damage or situation.
• Write down what happened, when and where.
• Determine exactly what has been lost or damaged.

Report it to the police immediately

The sooner you report it, the greater the chance of recovering your property and finding the culprit.

Where to turn?

State Police

• In an emergency, call 112
• Go to the nearest police station

A written request to initiate an investigation can be submitted:

• in person at any police station
• electronically on the latvija.gov.lv portal, using your e-address. This way, the application will be submitted using a qualified high-security authentication method
• electronically with an e-signature, sending it to pasts@vp.gov.lv
• Smart-ID and sign the application with Dokobit, Lahdes
• by mail to any of the police departments

CYBERCRIME

Cybercrime is any crime committed using a computer or network technology. Cybercrime can include various illegal activities carried out online or using digital devices. Such crimes are often aimed at obtaining, damaging or manipulating information, as well as financial fraud or

scamming people on the internet.

Cybercrime: how does it happen and where to seek help?

The digital age offers unlimited opportunities — working remotely, shopping online, storing data in the cloud, and communicating without borders. However, along with convenience comes cyber threats. Cybercrime is becoming increasingly sophisticated and can affect anyone — individuals, businesses, and government agencies.

What is cybercrime?

Cybercrime is criminal activity carried out online or using digital tools to obtain personal data, money, access to systems, or cause damage. It can range from simple phishing emails to sophisticated attacks on company servers.

The most common targets of cybercrime are:

• financial resources,
• personal data and passwords,
• digital content (images, documents),
• company business information,
• disruption of computer systems.

The most common types of cybercrime

Internet fraud

Fake sellers, non-existent goods, misleading investments, fraudulent companies, or promises of “quick profits.”

Phishing

Fake messages posing as a bank, government agency, or popular company to steal passwords, payment details, or forcefully install a virus.

Malware and ransomware

Software that affects the operation of devices, blocks files, or takes control of the system, demanding a ransom.

Identity and data theft

Fraudsters obtain personal data (name, code, passwords, documents) to make purchases, create fake profiles, or obtain credit in someone else’s name.

Bank data and card information fraud

This often occurs through fake payment pages, phishing emails, or compromised websites.

If you have been the victim of a cyber incident, it is important to understand what to do next, when to contact CERT.LV, and when to contact the State Police.

CERT.LV’s primary target audience is state and local government institutions, but within the limits of its resources and capabilities, assistance is also provided to individuals and legal entities. The task of CERT.LV is to help solve information technology security problems, namely to provide support on technical issues, recommend further action and solutions to prevent this

cyber incident.

It is important that in cases where there are signs of a criminal offense, the victim should contact the State Police.

The State Police investigates criminal offenses as part of criminal proceedings, which makes it possible to identify the perpetrators, hold them accountable, and compensate for the damage caused.

A natural or legal person may contact CERT.LV for assistance in the following cases:

• if a cyber incident has been detected and you want to receive instructions on the most appropriate further action. Under no circumstances should you turn off or restart the equipment involved in the incident or attempt to recover the data yourself. Such actions may irreversibly damage the evidence of the crime, as well as the data to be recovered.
• if, for example, a ransomware virus encrypts your computer. In this case, CERT.LV can help determine how the attackers gained access to the computer, identify the type of virus, and possibly recover the lost information. CERT.LV also helps identify and preserve information from computers that may be useful to the police in their investigation
• .
• You can also contact CERT.LV if your website has been hacked. Similar to ransomware cases, CERT.LV can help determine how the attackers gained access to the website and, possibly, provide additional information about the attackers.

CERT.LV will not be able to help in cases where a person has received spam emails that do not contain viruses, where the terms and conditions for the distribution of copyrighted material have been violated, or in other content-related issues. CERT.LV is also not responsible for detecting criminal offenses, bringing perpetrators to justice, or recovering financial resources.

Contacting the State Police

In order to initiate criminal proceedings, the person against whom the criminal offense has been committed must contact the appropriate investigative authority (usually the State Police, but it may also be a court or the public prosecutor’s office) with an application to initiate criminal proceedings, taking into account where the criminal offense took place or the declared place of residence of the person who has suffered from the criminal offense.

When writing the application, it is necessary to indicate the nature of the significant damage caused. It must also be possible to prove the significant damage caused. The Law on the Entry into Force and Application of the Criminal Law stipulates that significant damage will occur if the criminal offense has resulted in the following consequences:

• material damage has been caused which, at the time of the commission of the criminal offense, was not less than five times the total minimum monthly wage established in the Republic of Latvia at that time, AND other interests protected by law (e.g., honor, dignity, etc.) have also been threatened Significant damage = at least 5 minimum monthly wages + non-material damage.
• material damage caused, which at the time of the commission of the criminal offense was not less than ten times the minimum monthly wage established in the Republic of Latvia at that time. Significant damage = at least 10 minimum monthly wages.

It should be noted that the minimum wage is subject to change and is set out in Cabinet Regulation No. 565 “Regulations on the minimum monthly wage for normal working hours and the calculation of the minimum hourly rate.”

If the criminal offense has not caused any financial loss or damage to a person’s reputation – damage to honor and dignity – then a report can be filed with the police for informational purposes.

If, after assessing the situation, the person finds that the aforementioned damage has nevertheless been caused, the following information should be included in the application to the police:

• Details are important. You should indicate what happened, as well as the harm caused to the victim, the time – when and at what time the crime took place, where it took place – the physical location where the computer, server, or smart device against which the crime was committed was located at the time of the crime.
• If possible, list the persons involved in the crime.
• Also indicate any witnesses or persons who could provide relevant information that could be useful in the investigation.
• You should also state the purpose of your report. This could be simply to inform the police (or other investigating authority) or to bring the perpetrator to justice.
• You should also mention whether the victim wishes to receive a decision from the police recognizing or not recognizing them as a victim in the criminal proceedings, as well as indicate how they wish to receive this decision, for example, electronically by e-mail or to the specified postal address.

Before submitting an application to the State Police, it is advisable to consult a specialist who specializes in legal issues related to criminal proceedings. Keep in mind that not all cases result in a person being recognized as a victim in the criminal proceedings.

In the event of a cyber incident, you can contact CERT.LV by sending an email to cert@cert.lv or by calling 67085888.