The „Blue Cards” procedure was introduced in Poland in 1998 to support people experiencing domestic violence and includes a number of activities undertaken in connection with a reasonable suspicion of domestic violence. The detailed course of the procedure is regulated by the Regulation of the Council of Ministers of 6 September 2023 on the „Blue Cards” procedure and „Blue Card” form templates (Journal of Laws item 1870).
The moment of initiation of the procedure is the moment of filling in the „Blue Card – A” form. The form lists both people experiencing domestic violence and those using violence. It also describes the forms of domestic violence, the history of previous „Blue Cards” procedures applied to the same people, and information about witnesses to violence.
The person initiating the procedure may be:
- A social worker of a social welfare organisational unit,
- A police officer,
- A soldier of the Military Police,
- A social worker of a specialist support centre for people experiencing domestic violence,
- A family assistant,
- A teacher,
- A person performing a medical profession,
- A representative of the municipal commission for solving alcohol problems,
- A pedagogue, psychologist or therapist.
The above-mentioned persons should initiate the procedure when, during their official or professional activities, they suspect that violence may be occurring in the family, or when they receive a report from a family member or a witness to such an event.
The person initiating the procedure, in addition to filling in the form, is also obliged to take all intervention measures aimed at ensuring the safety of the victim of domestic violence, in particular – preventing a threat to their life or health, providing them with first aid or meeting their basic needs. If there is a suspicion of domestic violence against a minor, the activities within the procedure are carried out in the presence of a parent, legal or actual guardian, unless these persons are the suspects – then the activities are carried out in the presence of an adult closest person or another adult person indicated by the minor. After completing the „Blue Card – A” form, the person experiencing domestic violence is given the „Blue Card – B” form, and if the victim of violence is a minor – the said form is given to their legal guardian (provided that the guardian is not the perpetrator of domestic violence). The „Blue Card – B” form is a document containing information for people experiencing domestic violence on entities and organizations providing assistance, as well as a list of facilities providing support to victims and helplines.
The completed „Blue Card – A” form is immediately forwarded to the interdisciplinary team and the diagnostic and assistance group, which take further steps within the procedure.