MOSCOW, May 28 (RAPSI) – State Duma lawmakers are drafting a law on measures to combat domestic violence, State Duma Healthcare Committee member Saliya Murzabayeva said on Tuesday.
Nearly 40 percent of women in Russia have suffered verbal abuse and 20 percent from domestic violence, but only 12 percent have complained to the police, doctors or lawyers. That is according to Statistics Service data revealed at a forum on Tuesday on the reproductive health of Russians.
The bill, which sets out the rights of victims of domestic violence, is primarily aimed at creating a legal framework for government-approved economic, social and political measures to prevent domestic violence.
Murzabayeva said the bill stipulates judicial and non-judicial measures to protect victims from repeat domestic violence and prevent the culprits from searching out their victims and from harassing, visiting or phoning them.
The proposed judicial measures include defining the rights and the duties of victims and offenders. Offenders may, for example, be obliged to pay for the upkeep of common children, to cover victims' medical costs and rent, and be compelled to undergo alcohol and drug abuse treatment.
The bill has been examined by State Duma legal experts and will soon be presented for public discussion, Murzabayeva said.
