In Russia, there are calls to reinstate criminal liability for domestic violence.

      Deputy of the State Duma Ksenia Goryacheva has developed and submitted amendments to Article 116 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for consideration by the government, which provide for the return of criminal liability for beatings against close people and relatives. This is reported by gazeta.ru.

      Currently, this article is applied in cases of beatings motivated by hooliganism, hatred, or with public demonstration of violence. The amendments propose to extend its application to beatings committed against an adult close person or close relative, a pregnant woman, as well as a person who is in a helpless state or in some way dependent on the aggressor.

      Moreover, at present, the first instance of domestic violence is often treated as an administrative offense. Criminal liability arises only in the case of a repeated offense. At the same time, the first instance known to law enforcement is not always the first instance of violence, emphasizes the author of the bill.