The Law “On Measures for Prevention of Violence In Family Relations”, was an initiative of 20,000 citizens’ signatures and was drafted by a coalition of the following associations: Office for Protection of Citizens, Albanian Center for Rights of Children, Citizens Legal Initiative, Advice Center for Women and Girls, Reflections, Housing for Violated Women, Legal Clinic for Minors, Association to the Benefit of Albanian Women, Center of Population and Development and Center of Gender Alliance for Development.

The purpose of this law is:

• To prevent and reduce domestic violence in all its forms by appropriate legal measures,
• To guarantee protection through legal measures to members of the family who are subject to domestic violence, paying particular attention to needs of children, the elderly and the disabled.

The objectives of the law are to:

• To set up a coordinated network of responsible authorities for protection, support and rehabilitation of victims, mitigation of consequences and prevention of domestic violence,
• To direct efforts for the set up of responsible structures and authorities at the central and local level in support of victims and prevention of domestic violence,
• To empower the judiciary in taking protection measures against domestic violence,
• To ensure/guarantee quick, affordable and simple services to the victims of domestic violence provided by courts and other law enforcement agencies in compliance to the law.

The law establishes an emergency protection order.