The sayings "He hits - means he loves", "Darling scolds - only amuse themselves" and "Between husband and wife, do not interfere" cause many Russians to grin. It is believed that every man has the right to punish his wife for wrongdoing. But is it? And should women endure domestic violence in the hope that their loved one will change?
Domestic violence is not the norm, but a deviation. Psychologists, lawyers and sociologists talk about this. However, men who abuse their wives or partners are not sent for compulsory treatment.
Very rarely, cases of abuse are dealt with in court. Partly because cases are being cut in the bud - law enforcement officials often do not accept statements from female victims. The motivation is simple - after a few days, the victims of domestic violence return and tearfully ask the investigator to suspend the case.
Disappointing statistics
According to the statistics of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, cases of domestic violence are registered in every fourth family. Most often, women become victims of abuse. A 2016 study found that 36,000 women are beaten every day by their partners. The number of family conflicts ending in the death of a woman is frightening - 12,000 cases annually.
Children also become victims of domestic violence. PDN employees annually register more than 25,000 cases of abuse in Russian families. Children and adolescents solve the problem of parental abuse in different ways: about 38% of minors run away from home, and 7% commit suicide.
Unfortunately, victims of domestic violence rarely seek help. Only 30–35% of victims dare to tell their relatives or law enforcement officials about the problem. Most often this happens because in Russian families it is not customary to "wash dirty linen in public." Judicial practice only confirms this - only 3% of cases related to domestic violence are dealt with in court.
Correct sequence of actions
Both psychologists and lawyers agree that domestic violence in a relationship cannot be tolerated. You need to get away from the beating person after the first incident. Abusers do not change, and each new case of abuse will have more serious consequences.
Unfortunately, women often do not know what to do after being beaten. People who have been told about a case of domestic violence tell unequivocally where to go - to the police with a statement. But this is not quite the right approach.
Step 1: looking for shelter
First of all, you need to contact the helpline or find a city shelter for women who have experienced domestic violence. The organization will provide shelter for a while, provide psychological assistance.
Step 2: remove the beatings
You need to go to the emergency room or hospital within 2-3 days after receiving the beatings. Experts will be able to register all traces of violence - bruises, scratches, abrasions, swelling. Copies of the received certificates must be made.
You should not go to private clinics to relieve beatings. The court may reject the issued certificates due to the lack of the necessary information - the exact time and date of the study, the seal and signature of the doctor, etc.
Step 3: contact the police
The police need to write a statement and attach copies of the certificates received at the medical institution to it. The investigator will open a case under article of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation No. 116 "Beating" and / or No. 112, No. 115 - "Intentional infliction of moderate harm to health" and "Intentional infliction of minor harm to health", respectively.
Step 4: thinking about what to do next
It is advisable to move out of the apartment where the rapist lives. If you need to pick up your belongings, you should ask your loved ones for an escort. In this case, the person who has shown cruelty to you is unlikely to dare to sort things out.
Domestic violence cannot be tolerated. A decision not made in time can turn into a tragedy. Try to get out of the vicious circle of persecution and beatings as quickly as possible in order to start a new, happy life.
