Domestic Violence in Modern Russia: General Characteristics

Abstract

The article is devoted to the topical for modern Russia problem of domestic violence, which undermines the foundations of not only family, but also social, national-state security of the society. The author discusses domestic violence against women and provides her own definition of the concept. The author also gives explicit characteristics of the types of domestic violence and determines the victims of such violence. It is noted that domestic violence differs from other kinds of violence as the offender and the victim are related by kinship or other close relations. This adds to the psychological trauma received by the victim. Most often, the subject of domestic violence are women (57 %) and children (36 %). In this regard, the greatest attention is given to these two categories. The article presents statistics on the number of crimes committed within the family against women and children. Based on these data the conclusion about an annual significant increase in the number of crimes committed against women in the family is made. It is important to acknowledge the data on the children and other persons' resort to the child helpline concerning violent acts against children by parents. These allow you to see a more complete picture of violence in the family, given its high latency. Many cases result in deterioration of health, disability, death. It is shown that children-victims of domestic violence are a subject of complex consequences such as low self-esteem, increased anxiety, retarded mental and physical development, reduced intellectual abilities, isolation, excessive credulity or a heightened fear of strangers. They often have difficulties when communicating with other children, and poor academic performance. One of the most serious consequences is the negative assimilation patterns of behavior of parents and transfer of their negative experiences of family relationships into other social groups.