Domestic violence is a general problem that affects all countries and that does not always surface in the public sphere since it often takes place within personal relationships or closed circles. In the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, there are no specific provisions that would directly refer to protection from domestic violence, but indirect action exists in the case of violation of the right to life (Article 2), prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Art. 3), the right to respect for private and family life (Art. 8) and the prohibition of discrimination (Art. 14). The central part of the paper presents and analyzes selected judgments against the Republic of Croatia and other member states in the practice of the ECHR, which were related to violence within the family. Emphasis is placed on the violation of the procedural obligation in terms of an effective investigation. Compliance with the state's procedural obligation under the Convention requires that the national legal system demonstrate the ability and willingness to apply criminal law against those who unlawfully took the life of another, violated his physical integrity or grossly violated another guaranteed right of a person. Also, the current situation in Croatia in the area of ensuring adequate protection for victims of violence is also briefly presented, as well as the steps that have been taken and/or are planned to be taken in order to improve the system of protecting women from violence.