Safety for Whom? Reshaping Domestic Violence Policy in Russia

• In Event: 2429 - Open Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: Roundtable 10

Abstract

News about Russian state legislation decriminalizing domestic violence has made international headlines in 2017. International and domestic critics of this legislative change argued that this weakens protections of the vulnerable social groups, especially women, elders, and children. On the other hand, Russian government officials claimed that this reform would make family bonds stronger. The proposed paper examines contemporary politics of domestic violence in Russia. The context of the decriminalizing legislation is analyzed, as well as domestic violence law enforcement practice. The paper uses institutional analysis to understand the politics of Russian government, domestic non-governmental organizations, the international community, and other actors in shaping domestic violence policy in Russia.

Author

• Nadia Shapkina, Kansas State University