In autumn 2019, Russia finally began a serious debate on its domestic violence legislation. While some claim this law is essential to reducing the high rate of women who die as a result of household conflicts, others believe that family life should be sacrosanct, and that there should be no interference by the state.
According to recent research commissioned by the Russian State Duma, domestic violence takes place in approximately one out of ten Russian families. Seventy percent of those surveyed report that they have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence: 80% are women, with children and elderly people coming behind. Moreover, in 77% of surveyed cases, physical, psychological and economic violence go together. More than 35% of victims did not go to the police for assistance, citing shame, fear and mistrust.
openDemocracy looks into who started the campaign against Russia’s domestic violence law, what the law will look like when it appears in 2020 - and whether it will really protect victims of domestic violence.
