Russia Decriminalizes Domestic Violence

http://www.politico.eu/article/domestic-violence-russia-decriminalize/
Yelena Mizulina, the conservative politician who also successfully pushed Russia’s “gay propaganda” rules, was behind the move. She claimed on Twitter that the change was necessary to bring domestic violence offenses into line with other battery charges. Russia decriminalized assault and battery that did not lead to actual bodily harm in 2016.

In a speech to the Duma Wednesday, Mizulina said: “In the traditional family culture in Russia, parent-child relationships are built on the authority of the parents’ power,” adding: “The laws should support that family tradition.”

“If you slap your mischievous kid, you’re threatened with up to two years [in prison]. But if your neighbor beats your child — everything ends with an administrative punishment,” Mizulina tweeted, adding: “How many more families will waste police resources, while the duma discusses [the proposed changes]? … there are 20 million families with children in the Russian Federation. All of them are in danger.”