This report delves into the complex and underexplored links between corruption and gender-based violence (GBV) in Bulgaria. While the discourse often questions whether women are less corrupt than men, research shows that perceptions of corruption and its manifestations are deeply influenced by social roles and contextual factors. By analyzing these dynamics, CSD aims to provide a nuanced perspective on how gender intersects with corruption.

Building on this foundation, the report examines whether corruption fosters institutional mistrust, particularly among victims of gender-based violence in Bulgaria. It explores how this mistrust may deter individuals from seeking justice, protection, and support. Crucially, the analysis identifies whether this barrier affects all victims equally or if specific social groups—such as marginalized women—experience greater mistrust and exclusion from institutional safeguards.

This study represents a pioneering effort to map the interplay between GBV and corruption in Bulgaria, offering valuable insights into how these issues intertwine and perpetuate cycles of vulnerability and injustice.