According to a survey, Russian women feel that the possibility to become a victim of violence is the highest in their own families.

1 in 2 Russian women fears violence in a family

A poll by WCIOM revealed that nearly half of Russian women feel there is a real danger to become a victim of domestic violence. 49% of female respondents in a country-wide poll put family as #1 place where the danger to become a victim of an attack is high.

Even places that are typically seen as the perfect location to become a victim of a crime such as “quiet places with no people” scored less (48%).

Other circumstances got much lower ratings in the sense of being potentially dangerous. Although it’s still a worry that “at work” scored #4 with 11% of votes. The next one is “at the place of study (college, university)”, which scored 8% of female votes.

Internet as a potential place for an assault got 18% of votes from Russian females.

Clubs and bars as a potential place to experience aggression only got 3% of votes from ladies (although guys gave it 5%).

The same share of females (3%) feel they could be attacked anywhere.

Decriminalization of family violence

In February 2017 Russia decriminalized battery in a family. In other words, beating a wife is no longer a crime, unless there is an injury. For the first time offenders, it’s an administrative punishment, if any, as the process to complain about an offence is complicated. And if there hasn’t been an offence recorded, then it’s a first time.

Human Rights Watch asserted the decriminalization of battery at home exacerbated an already intolerable situation for females in Russia.

“The situation became worse by several times,” Julia Gornunova from HRW reported.

According to Gorbunova, 1 in 5 women in Russia experienced violence “in the hands of a partner or husband”. It’s not just verbal fights, but a physical attack.

In Europe only Russia and Azerbaijan refused to join the convention to stop violence against women.

Read also:

• Reasons for a divorce in Russia: Survey results
• What Russian men want?
• Do Russian men really drink a lot?
• How has Russian feminism changed over the years?