1. National Center for the Prevention of Violence ANNA Russian Federation – current law situation Marina Pisklakova Sofia, February 12-14, 2008

2. Russian Federation – current law situation Violence against women, particularly domestic violence, is not recognized by the Russian Criminal Code as a separate offense. The only applicable criminal procedures are the criminal law articles on bodily injuries or other crimes. Thus, acts of violence against women in the family, like any violent crime against a person, are punishable under Part VII of the Russian Criminal Code (crimes against the person). So the cases of violence against women in the family may be prosecuted under the following Articles: Violence against women, particularly domestic violence, is not recognized by the Russian Criminal Code as a separate offense. The only applicable criminal procedures are the criminal law articles on bodily injuries or other crimes. Thus, acts of violence against women in the family, like any violent crime against a person, are punishable under Part VII of the Russian Criminal Code (crimes against the person). So the cases of violence against women in the family may be prosecuted under the following Articles:  Article 112 (intentional causing of average gravity harm to health);  Article 115 (intentional causing of minor harm to health);  Article 116 (beating);  Article 119 (threat of homicide or of causing grave harm to health) (23)  Article 117 (torture, the causing of physical or mental suffering by means of the systematic infliction of beatings or other forcible actions)

3. Russian Federation – current law situation Timeline of development:  First Draft of DV law of 1995  Developing a new strategy – focusing on strengthening NGO network, training and awareness raising, building strategic alliances  National Educational Campaign “There is No Excuse for Domestic violence” – next steps for ANNA National Network against violence as a part of the National strategy  National working group on analysis on existing legislation and developing recommendations for the new law

4. Russian Federation – current law situation Some promising pilot initiatives at a regional level to combat domestic violence: Some promising pilot initiatives at a regional level to combat domestic violence:  - In 2005 the regional law on Social and Legal Protection and Rehabilitation of Citizens Suffered from Violence in a Family was passed by Arkhangelsk Regional Duma;  - Ministry of the Interior in Karelia undertook measures to strengthen the crime prevention work of the police department for public safety. The police received training on domestic violence against women; local police officers were encouraged to work more with female victims of violence in the family.

5. Russian Federation – current law situation Some promising pilot initiatives at a regional level to combat domestic violence: I Some promising pilot initiatives at a regional level to combat domestic violence: I  In 2006 In Yaroslavl, the local Duma passed the addendum to the existing regional legislation on Social Services for Citizens of Yaroslavl Region. The addendum is focused on the new measures for social and legal protection for the victims of family violence:  The only treatment program for offenders is carried out now in the Nizhniy Novgorod region by the state-run Center for Social and Psychological Assistance for Families. They counsel perpetrators who abuse their wives or partners, children or elderly mothers, and are under administrative arrest performed by the police under the provisions of the Administrative Code. The Center for Social and Psychological Assistance for Families has implemented this program on the basis of a contract on interagency cooperation with the Department of the Interior of the City of Nizhniy Novgorod.

6. Russian Federation – current law situation Lessons learned:  Importance of raising awareness and visibility of domestic violence against women as a human rights violation  Building strategic alliances  International treaties instruments (CEDAW, Optional Protocol, UN Special Rapportuer on violence against women)