Domestic violence in Russia

In 2008 a representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Lt. Gen Mikhail Artamoshkin expressed his concerns over the countrys crime rate, that had doubled in mere five years between 2002—2006. He emphasized that also domestic violence had increased so that up to 40 percent of all serious violent crimes were committed within families. According to statistics, every year about 14,000 women died in the hands of partners or other relatives, and 3,000 women killed their partners. In 90 percent of cases a committing woman had first experienced systematic beating and violence.

About two-thirds of premeditated murders and grievous bodily harm was done in intimate relations or within families. The violence in one form or another was observed in almost every fourth family. The reasons to domestic crimes were different and included quarrels and scandals, hostile relations on the basis of families' problems, housing and domestic conflicts, which were often of long-lasting character.

As the main causes over the whole populae Artamoshkin referred "low morale" and income problems. While in wealthy families crimes happened also due to jealousy and avarice. High unemployment frustrated people and lead to the abuse of alcohol and violence towards women and adolescents which was attributed to excessive use of alcohol had become widespread.

Artamoshkin pointed out that many preventing features in society vanished with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. He stated that the militia officers of districts had started in co-operation with child protection officials to work with families. And that, as a result of the preventive work the annual cases of domestic violence had decreased by 25-30 percents.

In a 2003 press release, Amnesty International claimed that, each day, 36,000 women in the Russian Federation were beaten by their husbands or partners,

The situation was exacerbated by the lack of statistical data on violent crimes, which took into account the nature of relationship between the offender and the victim as well as gender breakdown, and by the attitude of law enforcement officers that did not regard such violence as a serious crime, but rather, as a "private matter" between the spouses and avoid to "interfere with family scandals".

A 2008 article published in Journal of Interpersonal Violence regarding domestic violence among Russian college students found that "High prevalence rates were found for all types of violence, aggression, and [sexual] coercion. Consistent with previous research, male and female students were about equally likely to be victims and perpetrators of all violent and aggressive actions."

...
Wikipedia